EDITORIAL

Viva Cuba Libre!

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On January 1, 1959, Fidel Castro and his followers changed Cuba’s political landscape, ushering in a regime that would be implicated in the deaths of thousands and the imprisonment of many of their fellow countrymen for almost 60 years, prompting mass emigrations.

Even though Castro was educated by Jesuits as a young man, he rejected God and chose the path of becoming a dictator, a man who tried to be like a god. The Catholic Church was put on a tight leash and Castro even forbid his people from celebrating Christmas from 1969 to 1998.

Like many atheistic dictators before him, including Nikolai Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Adolph Hitler and Mao Tse-Tung, Castro ruled his people with fear and force. These men saw themselves as above God’s law and the many people they ruled suffered greatly under their regimes. All of these men promoted a version of socialism which directly opposed human freedom, one that tried to destroy a person’s ability to worship God.

There was rejoicing in Miami and Havana at the death of Fidel Castro, yet his brother, Raul, continues to reign as the current dictator of Cuba. He has vowed to continue his brother’s vision for Cuba, and in the years since he has assumed power little has changed with regard to dignity of the people and human rights of all the island’s citizens.

With renewed hope in the many changes taking place in the world’s political arena, perhaps Cuba may see a new springtime and another type of revolution that will bring back liberty and the freedom to worship God. Viva Cuba Libre!