Cuba overjoyed - Granma

[flamingdem]

Cuba's commie newspaper not exactly cold and gray in their descriptions of joy on the island - hey why not?

http://en.granma.cu/cuba/2014-12-19/cuba-overjoyed

The Cuban people describe their reactions to the two great events of the day, year and century: the return to the country of three Cuban heroes who were previously incarcerated in U.S. prisons, and the announcement of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the U.S.

Joy, excitement, euphoria, tears, optimism, expectation, surprise. Words can not describe how the Cuban people feel. More than 50 years have passed since the severing of diplomatic relations with the United States and the establishment of the unjust economic blockade; and 16 since the incarceration of the five Cuban heroes, thus the national reaction to the yesterday’s news was one of delight and absolute joy.


In the street everyone is talking, and their words are excited and chaotic like their emotions.

Germán Menéndez, I.T technician said: “I think this is the result of the pressure exerted by the many Latin American associations: CARICOM, MERCOSUR, CELAC, UNASUR united in support of Cuba’s case. We are happy, extremely happy because at last we have done it, the Five are in their country, with their families, and we are full of hope and faith that our economic future will change.”

Liliana Álvarez, agreed that Latin American integration was essential, in addition to the entire campaign led by movements in solidarity with the Cuban heroes and Cuba, and the struggle of this courageous and resilient people for so many years. “I feel indescribable joy because I am here and I am part of this,” she stated, and with emotion taking over and tears welling in her eyes exclaimed, “Comandante en Jefe, we did it!”



“This is the best news so far this century. The return of the Five has been long awaited, suffered by Cubans and many people outside the continent. There are emotions which words can’t express. What we Cubans are feeling and experiencing today can only be understood by those here and abroad who have lived it with us. This is the best Christmas present for a call which had become universal,” commented José Antonio Pérez, foreign trade management expert.

“It is the first time a U.S. President, after more than 50 years of a blockade policy and hostile, reactionary positions against Cuba, has officially expressed his will and intention to restore diplomatic relations, and most importantly without having to cede our dignity. I think the exchange, and new regulations to come, will be very beneficial for the Cuban people,” stated Gretel Chinea, communications expert.

[MADem]

1. Two of the five were already home--one finished his sentence, the other the US released on

humanitarian grounds (death in the family or illness, don't remember which).

Of course Cuba is overjoyed--Putin hasn't been any help to them for a long, long time, and Maduro is in such a mess he may not be able to keep giving them black gold in exchange for doctors and military police. They know full well that normalization is going to mean a carrot-and-stick game, and they're ready for it. Raul is getting old and this "strong man" shit just doesn't fly anymore.

[flamingdem]

2. That's about it, in a cynical nutshell!

However there's a history with the USA that makes all of this muy grande.

Cuba used to be a big deal but it was shut out all these years. Now it's back in the game, full steam ahead.

I'm very happy, and glad that they are going to be less dependent on Venezuela and especially China.

Once the USA treats Cuba well some of the other sore spots may heal.

[MADem]

3. I think the healing will accelerate once Fidel shuffles off this mortal coil.

That's probably the ULTIMATE in cynicism, and I don't have any inside baseball gouge on that comment, but I've believed that for a long time. It makes no sense that Vietnam, after a war that cost us 58K dead and countless more wounded, many bearing those invisible scars, can be our pal and trading partner, but our next door neighbor keeps getting the stink eye. There's something there that we schmucks out here in Americaland don't know that put that boy on the "UNFORGIVEN" list. I think he's been the sticking point, for reasons that are highly classified. We can only speculate what those reasons might be. I hope to live long enough to learn the truth! I hate that they classify shit for such absurdly long periods.

All I know is that so many presidential candidates have talked the "outreach" if not "normalization" game, and then, once elected, have gotten a doozie of an NSA brief and run in the other direction.

This rapprochement serves America very well, of course, as well, and not just for reasons of trade. It's certainly swell to have a market of willing consumers a hop, skip and jump off of FL, but in the larger picture, Cuba and USA could do some good things together on the international front. One hand washes the other, both wash the face, as they say!

I wonder if the Bacardis will ever move home? They're set up in Bermuda, Bahamas, PR, Mexico, etc., pretty well, these days, but they're playing on the Cuban heritage in recent years... If they ever move back, that will be like the swallows returning to Capistrano!!!!

[Judi Lynn]

4. Why not, indeed! Thank you, flamingdem. n/t

[Cha]

5. I'm so happy for them, flamingdem.. thank you for reporting on this!

Viva Obama!

[roody]

6. knr