Mambi Watch (Dec. 2006 - Mar. 2008)

"Here is the true meaning and value of compassion and nonviolence, when it helps us to see the enemy's point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves. For from his view we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers who are called the opposition."

- Martin Luther King Jr., Beyond Vietnam speech, 1967.


"As applied to this case, an empathetic approach would begin with the assumption that neither the United States nor Cuba holds the balance of virtue, and that the aims of both countries deserve to be accorded respect. It requires careful listening to both sides, devoid of the temptation to rush to judgment... Were U.S. officials to develop a degree of empathy for the Cubans, they would need to listen openly to what Cubans say rather than to presume they know best... That is, they would need to end the embargo and to relinquish Guantanamo."

- James G. Blight and Philip Brenner, Sad and Luminous Days, 2002.

One for Reconciliation (Part 2)

Last June, the US/Cuba Normalization blog aptly posted a Tampa Tribune story about a recent conference in support of normalization. According to the article, 16 organizations gathered last May in Ybor City to discuss their common goals in opposition to current US policy towards Cuba. Among them was Antonio Zamora, a veteran of the Bay of Pigs invasion and now a strong advocate of lifting the US embargo towards Cuba. "Normalization will open up all kinds of opportunities... For too long, we shut out reconciliation. We need a different approach," said Zamora to the Tribune. The conference in Tampa was organized by Zamora's Normalization of US/Cuba Relations (FORNORM), The Cuban American Alliance (CAAEF), The Alliance for Responsible Cuba Policy and Cuba Vive.

Antonio Zamora, like Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo, form part of a group of men who long ago took up arms against the Cuban government, but now seek reconciliation and a peaceful resolution to the US/Cuba conflict. Its a position that some in Miami vehemently disagree with.

In 2002, Zamora took part in another conference in support of normalization, but this time in Miami. The summit drew about 250 guests to the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables where they where met with some protest. US Representatives Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen held a press conference in front of the Biltmore the same day of the summit and mentioned that "[t]here are economic interests that are seeking to do business with the dictatorship and they would like the dictatorship to survive the dictator." The protest was completed by the presence of Miguel Saavedra and members from Vigilia Mambisa, a group who earlier this year attacked a group of counter-protesters in Little Havana. (The actions of Vigilia Mambisa have not since been condemned by Lincoln Diaz-Balart or Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.)

The 2002 summit was successful in drawing a crowd in support of normalization, but the gains made at the meeting were soon dashed by Cuba's massive 2003 crackdown on dissidents. The calls for normalization had to begin anew.

Among those who organized the event with Zamora was another veteran of the Bay of Pigs invasion, Alfredo Duran. Duran, like Menoyo and Zamora, has also become a vociferous advocate for US/Cuba normalization and reconciliation, and in 2001 showed everyone he meant it.

That year marked the 40th Anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion, where in Cuba it is celebrated as the victory at "Playa Giron." Alfredo Duran made a bold move that year to attend a historic three-day conference in Havana about the event. For such an act, Duran was expelled from Miami's Brigade 2506 Veterans Association. Two other veterans were also expelled by the association for participating in the Havana conference. The veterans association cited: "treason to our principles, treason to all of our martyrs and treason to our country."

One of the expelled was disappointed and said: "It's ironic that 40 years ago, when I was captured by Cuban soldiers [after the invasion], I was called a traitor... And today, 40 years later, I'm being called a traitor by my friends."

But, Duran and the other expelled veterans nevertheless made it to the Havana conference. There, Duran met the artillery officer who tried to kill him. They shook hands and the conference audience applauded.

"I realized all my hate and remorse was gone," said Duran describing the instance.

- In 2003, Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo, one of the founders of Alpha 66, returned to Cuba advocating peace and reconciliation.

- In 2004, Antonio Zamora, former Brigade 2506 veteran, returned to Cuba and regained his Cuban citizenship which was invalidated after the Bay of Pigs invasion. It was part of a grand gesture of good faith from the Cuban government.

- And, just the other night, another founder of Alpha 66, Antonio Veciana, appeared on Polos Opuestos and called for negotiations with Cuba. He said that we should negotiate even with the devil himself if it would bring us closer to a free Cuba.

"You negotiate peace with your enemies and your adversaries. That is one of the highest tasks of diplomacy. " - Edward Djerejian.

One for Reconciliation (Part 1)

So, last night I was listening to Martha Flores on Radio Mambi. Boy, is she ticked about this whole Rudy Crew business. Rudy Crew is the Miami-Dade School Board Superintendent and has met increased criticism when last month's county evaluation found an increase of "F" schools and other unmet goals. But, despite all that, Crew still received a job bonus from the school board this week. Upset callers to Radio Mambi have been plentiful, and sometimes racist, repeatedly calling Crew "El negro ese" (that black guy). Local blog Riptide has a link to a lengthy Miami New Times article that summarizes the frustrations of many in the county. The pressure around Crew is boiling, not to mention a recent allegation that Crew called Cubans "the enemy." But, Rudy Crew is prepared to leave his position if things get way out of hand. In a recent interview on NPR, Crew made it very clear that he is presently calculating the costs and benefits of staying in Miami as Superintendent, and that Miami "doesn't have to be the place where you have your first heart attack." Crew described some of the opposition from the school board as "brutality."

So, after Martha Flores took a breather, she went on to a story about Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo. Yeesh!

Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo, like other men, waged a war against the Cuban government years ago, but unlike many, found no positive gains in violence, and has since directed himself towards a peaceful path for a free Cuba. Those who want to know more about Gutierrez Menoyo can check out an eye-opening interview he gave for the documentary "Nobody Listened" (1994), which is also fully available at Google Video or on DVD at the Miami-Dade Public Library System. Or, you can check out the various articles about him archived at the Latin American Studies website. Today, he is part of the opposition inside Cuba, where he seeks to establish a "legal space" for political dissidence.

Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo made news this week because he participated in some kind of open forum in Puerto Rico where he made several statements and answered questions from the public. According to Diario Las Americas, he confidently stated that Fidel Castro "will not return to take back the reins of power" and that, unfortunately, Raul Castro "will continue the tragedy." Gutierrez Menoyo believes that all Cubans are now waiting for a change, and that such a change will come peacefully through a dialogue between the government and its opposition. "I support dialogue, reconciliation of the Cuban family, and a peaceful reconciliation."

Fantomas from the Abajo Fidel Blog was there and provides a short summary of what occurred at the public forum in Puerto Rico. Fantomas writes that Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo evaded many questions, such as how many members belonged to his dissident group and about his fortunate ability to travel in and out of Cuba. Fantomas believes that Gutierrez Menoyo is being used by the Cuban government for some purpose, but Fantomas doesn't say for what purpose. Fantomas plans to have video of the conference available on his blog soon.

And, speaking of those who want reconciliation...