Castros are losers

I agree with letter writer Wilfred Lara that normalizing relations with Cuba was inevitable. History shows that nothing — such as the Roman Empire and the Soviet Union — lasts forever.

But I disagree with the writer’s last line: “… the Castros won the battle.” I don’t know the writer’s age, but I’m old enough to remember Fidel’s loud rhetoric: “Cuba for the Cubans!” — “Down with Yankee Imperialism!”

The world’s idealistic generation of the 60’s mistakenly saw Cuba as David against the USA’s Goliath. Foolish but passionate followers happily sacrificed for the revolution, turned in their own brothers and tore their families apart. And for what? In the end the American flag once again waves in Havana’s breeze. Yes, the Castros are billionaires, like so many other cheap dictators who’ve destroyed nations to enrich themselves.

But in my book, they’re the losers. They’re the ones who had to bow their heads, swallow their words and place their much-touted slogans about “Yankee Imperialism” on the shelf.

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 9:06 PM with the headline "Castros are losers."