What I Meant to Say (Part 1)

So as I write stories for this blog, and try to keep readers updated with some Cuba-related news, some posts get left behind in the time crunch. I've decided to finish those thoughts once and for all. Here's two stories that I didn't complete, they are summarized a bit, but the original message that I wanted to convey is still there.


A NEW BRAND FOR STRUGGLE

In this story I attempted to review the recent defections of top Cuban boxers visiting South America and extract meaning and motivation from their (successful or unsuccessful) actions. I further sought to associate these events with the changing attitude of Cuba's younger population and the prospects for change within the Revolution and the current political transition.

I began by reviewing the story of Odlanier Solis, Yan Barthelemy and Yuriorkis Gamboa, three young Cuban boxers who defected from the national team while training in South America last year. The three have since gone their separate ways in professional boxing. Barthelemy is 3-0 and now fighting here in Miami with a recent win by unanimous decision. Gamboa is ranked #5 by the World Boxing Association in the featherweight division [PDF] and currently training in Los Angeles. And Solis is fighting in Germany with a current undefeated record of five bouts with four knockouts.

Their success stands in stark contrast to the most recent attempts at defection by Erislandy Lara and Guillermo Rigondeaux, two other top boxers from Cuba who were visiting Brazil in July. Both boxers were arrested by police after disappearing for 11 days, afterward revealing a mysterious tale of events. In this case, there are opposing sides about whether the two boxers intended to defect, or had no intention to abandon their national team. Several stories in the media seem to indicate that the boxers did attempt to defect. Despite reports that the boxers had signed contracts or had prior agreements with boxing promoters, one story suggested that the boxers had tried to apply for visas to travel to Germany. Also, Human Rights Watch became concerned about the arrests and felt that "[e]ven if the two athletes did not explicitly request political asylum, claims for refugee status can be signaled through actions, rather than through an explicit request."

Yet, upon their return to Cuba, Lara and Rigondeaux were adamant that they did not intend to defect, but were instead coerced and possibly drugged by aggressive boxing promoters. Speaking to the Cuban state media, both boxers denied having signed contracts and seeking asylum in Brazil. A recent Sun-Sentinel article by Ray Sanchez catches up with Rigondeaux again saying that he never signed a contract with boxing promoters in Brazil. "That was all a lie... There was no contract," he says. Currently, Rigondeaux lives "in a leaky, run-down apartment belonging to Cuba's sports ministry," wishes to air his many grievances with the Cuban government (especially Fidel), and continues training by himself in hopes that he will soon return to the ring.

The athletes mentioned above, part of Cuba's world renowned athletic community, are seen more as soldiers of the Revolution. Fidel Castro himself, reflecting upon these events, said: "The athlete who abandons his delegation is not unlike the soldier who abandons his fellow men in the midst of combat." This also explains the required nationalistic indoctrination of young athletes throughout training. They are prepared to make a national sacrifice, just like any other potential soldier from around the world. But, the question arises: are these young men prepared to make that sacrifice?

Here too, the answer seems complex. The attitude of young Cubans seems no longer associated with old heroes like the legendary Teofilo Stevenson, better described as the "Cuban Ali." One need only look at how Ordlanier Solis presented himself to the media upon his debut in Germany. He wore gold rings and chains, boasting a "Thug Life" on his Tupac T-Shirt. (Did I mention gold watches on each wrist?) The sacrifice and commitment of Teofilo Stevenson towards the Cuban Revolution seems to have been abandoned by these young athletes. The current economic problems that affects young and talented Cuban athletes, and young Cubans in general, seems obvious to blame. But, does this mean a total abandonment of the Cuban system?

If you read Babalu Blog (check La Contra Revolucion's post on the "Youth Factor") or listen to Radio Mambi every day, Cuba seems ready to burst any day now. (Even the Cuba "experts" at UM can give you chills.) But, some current reports about the attitude of Cuba's youth and general population does not present this dire image. And, again the picture seems more complex.

Late last year, an AP article described well the frustration that many young Cubans are most likely experiencing. Damian Fernandez from FIU's Cuban Research Institute calls it the "frustration of expectations." "I want more technology, to be somewhere that feels more advanced," says Tony, a 20-year old music producer, in the article. "We want freedom of expression, freedom to do what we want... And we want dollars," says Luis, described as a young rebellious Cuban.

Another article (by Frances Robles) published in the Miami Herald last year described the problem as the Cuban government having "failed to capture the hearts of the nation’s nearly 5 million Cubans under the age of 30." But, this article becomes more specific than the AP. Robles quotes a 20-year old "potato vendor" saying: "The only bad thing here is the salary system. ... With capitalism, we’d have to work harder to pay for everything. I’d have to pay for my medicine... I’d like the same system, but I just want to earn more."

Ahmed Rodriguez, 21, is quoted saying: "If the government wants to capture the hearts of the young people, all it has to do is give higher salaries that cover living expenses, democracy, and freedom... Young people want to be able to live off their salaries... We can’t buy things, we can’t go out with our girlfriends... What are you going to do with $10?"

Gallup polling around that time, in Havana and Santiago, also showed similar tendencies. Cubans desire more personal freedoms, while at the same time viewing themselves more "equalitarian" (egalitarian) than "democratic." They also approved highly of the political leadership from Brazil and China, far more than the American leadership. Cubans respondents also strongly favored their educational and health care system, far more in comparison to other Latin countries. The US still remained the most desired trading partner.

In my opinion, young Cubans, and Cubans in general, seem anxious for change, and the new generation may not be ready to make the same sacrifices like the generation before them. The Cuban government may need a new brand for struggle. The Cuban people deserve something beyond meaningless indoctrination, or terrible predictions of instability from Miami. Their honest desires need to be heard, for their youth and their future.

Hopefully, Cuba and the US is listening.

[Part 2]

For Profit or Freedom?

A recent report by NBC6, and also reported today by Telemundo51, adds to public speculation that recent boat thefts in South Florida are tied to the recent increase in Cuban migration to the US.

Late last month, the Miami Herald's Alfonso Chardy began the speculation with the release of a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission investigation report. Chardy wrote:

"The report said that more than 235 vessels had been stolen in Miami-Dade alone between Jan. 1 and June 28, or more than a 20 percent increase over the same period in 2006. It added that at least 784 marine-related thefts, including 492 boats, were reported in Florida between April and June -- 22 percent more than during the same period last year."

Ironically, the chairman of Florida's Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Rodney Barreto, was also a victim of boat theft and was quoted saying: ''Authorities told me they were seeing these thefts with increasing frequency, that the spike was driven by human-smuggling."

This week, the New York Times' Marc Lacey added that "Cubans are migrating to the United States in the greatest numbers in over a decade." About 11,487 Cubans made it to the US through Mexico after landing on smuggling sites in the Yucatan Peninsula.

This new report by NBC6 (Tisha Lewis) confirms how some Cubans are being smuggled into Mexico and where the smugglers are getting their boats. The report (with a link to video) tells the story of a recent boat theft victim whose "boat is equipped with top-notch technology -- a low-jack, which reportedly allowed the U.S. Coast Guard and other authorities to track the stolen boats. Boats were found in Cuba and Cancun."

The video shows the owner of the boat on his way to Cancun to recover his stolen property. Reporter Tisha Lewis says that "authorities confirm the boats are being used to smuggle people." This report, like the Chardy report, doesn't exactly detail what "the authorities" know about the recent boat thefts. Most likely, the federal authorities are in the middle of an investigation.

But, are these actions by smugglers a form of "rescue" for Cubans wanting to leave the Communist island? Mr. Tellechea from Review of Cuban-American Blogs probably thinks so. Responding to the Chardy article, Mr. Tellechea wrote: "Back then [in 1966, smuggling] was known as rescuing fugitives from injustice and entailed no punitive measures either for the rescuer or the rescued."

I don't know if that was true or not, but today making profit from human smuggling is a serious crime. Just ask sports agent Gus Dominguez, who was convicted in April of "conspiracy to smuggle five ballplayers from Cuba to the Florida Keys." He faced "up to five years in prison for his conviction on the smuggling conspiracy charge plus up to 10 years each for 20 separate smuggling convictions." But, he had his punishment reduced to five years in prison, three years probation and a $2,100 fine.

Hall of Famer, Sandy Koufax, described Dominguez in a letter to the court as a man of "high moral principles."

A New Brand for Struggle (Part 3)

In a story that was little reported when it occurred, three top Cuban boxers defected last December in Venezuela while training for the recent Pan-American Games in Rio. Odlanier Solis (heavyweight), Yan Barthelemy (light-flyweight) and Yuriorkis Gamboa (flyweight) were all Gold medalist from the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. These were among the best Cuban boxers at the time, especially Solis who already had THREE gold medals from the World Boxing Amateur Championships. Predictably, the Cuban government called it a "theft of talent" when they did not return.

The three boxers eventually made it to the US, but immediately thereafter flew to Germany where they now plan to begin their professional boxing careers. The latest news on these three athletes is they each are undefeated in three professional bouts. Also, this week it was reported that Yuriorkis Gamboa has moved to Miami and planning to fight this month at the Miccosukee Indian Gaming on the 24th. His promoter, Ahmet Öner, believes Gamboa will become a world champion by the end of next year.

But, the road to becoming professionals in the West wasn't easy.

In the film Victory is Your Duty, last year's defection of these three prize fighters was included. One young Cuban boxer described them as traitors, a descriptor which suggests the prevailing attitude on the island where revolutionary indoctrination is prevalent. One scene in the film reveals that each youth boxing academy competing in the Havana national finals also competes for additional points by decorating their designated rooms with revolutionary symbols. The best show of nationalistic pride by the regional academy brings it closer to the national title.

All three fighters knew of the possible consequences of leaving those revolutionary roots, but it still seemed difficult to anticipate in reality. "It was a hard decision," said Odlanier Solis, who like Gamboa left children in Cuba. "It may be months or years before we see them... But I believe in the end it will be best for them." Solis couldn't hold back his tears when he made these comments in a Miami Beach press conference last March. Long separated families are part of the Cuban exile tragedy. But, all three fighters supported each others dreams of becoming professional world champs. "My family can now rest [because] they, like me, will now have a much better life starting from this moment... I can't wait to get in the ring and give it my best," declared Solis to Diario Las Americas.

It was a relief to Solis, and the others I'm sure, because just weeks prior to his South Beach appearance the three boxers were denied visas to enter the US. Antonio "Tony" Gonzalez, lawyer and manager of the three boxers called the denials "a very sad day for liberty and international sports." Gonzalez helped the three boxers sign their first contracts into professional boxing with Arena Box Promotion in Germany, which gave the best offer and signed each fighter to three-year, seven-figure contracts. According to Gonzalez, the three boxers, who crossed into Colombia through Venezuela's porous border, had all the necessary paperwork to enter the US: temporary visas in Colombia, work visas from the US, "bank accounts in Hamburg, Germany," and, of course, three-year contracts to fight in Europe.

The three boxers were very lucky to have eventually made it out of Colombia, a luck that other Cubans did not have that same month. This past February, news outlets were reporting about several Cuban doctors who were stranded in Colombia, some of whom were definitely denied entry by the US despite a recent policy (Parole for Cuban Medical Personnel [PDF]) that allowed their exclusive entrance. The news shocked many in Miami because some of the Cuban doctors, who were originally sent to Venezuela and then illegally crossed into Colombia, had been waiting for several months (some up to six months!) for a reply by the US embassy and Homeland Security. Solidaridad Sin Fronteras (Solidarity Without Borders), a local humanitarian group from Miami, helped in providing legal assistance to these stranded Cuban doctors. Julio Cesar Alfonso, president of Solidarity Without Borders, said that these parole applications shouldn't have taken more than three months.

By early March, about three months since defecting, Odlanier Solis, Yan Barthelemy and Yuriorkis Gamboa were already in the US, and soon on their way to Germany. By the end of April, Solis already had his first knockout on record.

[Conclusion]

A New Brand for Struggle (Part 2)

In other words, are sacrifices being made fairly by the collective group?

Last month, I caught a great documentary on the local PBS station called "Victory is Your Duty." It is perhaps the best documentary that focuses on Cuba's youth boxing academies and provides a very rare and intimate glimpse into what many boxing fans have been dying to know: how does Cuba train champions?

In 2002, BBC reporter Daniel Schweimler went to Cuba to answer this question. He found out what many had suspected about the effective Cuban sports system: state priorities to provide athletic facilities throughout Cuba, a rich sports history, attention to young athletes, a competitive system between regional academies, a coach's good eye for talent, and a mixture of national pride and sacrifice.

In 1996, a Canadian sports psychologist (and accomplished athlete herself), Susan Butt, believed that Cuba's many athletic accomplishments were mainly due to "feelings of competence and co-operation" that were promoted within the Cuban sports system, instead of emphasis in "aggression and competition" as seen in other developed nations. Cuba, at the time, had achieved more medals in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta than other developed nations, such as Britain, Japan and Canada. Furthermore, Cubans were still suffering the economic hardships of the Special Period, and 1996 only saw a recovery that Carmelo Mesa-Lago [PDF] described as "extremely weak."

But, Cubans still live in desperate times, and are still making sacrifices.

Andrew Lang, director of Victory is Your Duty, captures these elements and more in his film. Lang, in his production notes comments: "To train for five hours a day, be constantly hungry, and live in poor conditions is a lot to ask of anyone, let alone a ten-year-old child." It is a great responsibility that Cuban children learn to carry, sometimes by force. In one scene in Victory is Your Duty, a father bluntly tells his child in training that his failure in boxing academy will have a negative impact on the entire family. Its the same father that earlier in the film cries for not having enough to feed his family a decent meal each day.

Sports fans agree: Cuba is a boxing powerhouse (at least in the amateurs). But behind it all, as Lang points out: "despite this warmth and joy, there's often sadness behind the smile."

Hans De Salas-del Valle, a research associate at UM's Cuba Transition Project, believes that Cuba's youth have given up on the Revolution. According to Salas-del Valle, "Cuba is really losing its future, its young generation, which either [is] opting to try to hustle to make a dollar from tourists on the island, instead of pursuing higher education, or willing to risk their lives by venturing out into the Florida straits to reach the United States."

The latest news about the two Cuban boxers, Guillermo Rigondeaux and Erislandy Lara, seems to indicate that they did in fact try to defect, despite their several comments on Cuban state media to the contrary.

[Photo by Errol Daniels]

[Part 3]

A New Brand for Struggle (Part 1)

"If the young people fail, everything will fail."
- Fidel Castro

Since 2000, the Cuban government has acknowledged that they have a big challenge in their hands: "to instill in young people a communist conscience and rejection of capitalism." Those were the words of Cabinet Secretary Carlos Lage last April in front of a group of communist youth leaders, those young enough to not have lived or known of the "moral damage" that Lage attributes to capitalism, and known no other head of government than Fidel Castro.

In 2005, Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque further clarified that "[Cuba's youth] have more information and more consumer expectations than those at the start of the revolution." He's referring to nearly 5 million Cubans who are now below the age of 30, of which about two million were born after the beginning of the Special Period, and that means there's trouble ahead.

The Cuban government has fears that it's younger population will not tolerate any more sacrifices on their part to sustain the beliefs of the Revolution. Yet, this past June, Fidel Castro addressed the Communist Youth Union and attempted to convince them about how "[the Revolution's] roots were sustained in every act of sacrifice and heroism of an admirable people, who knew how to confront all obstacles." But, the question remains, I'm sure, if any more sacrifice in Cuba has any value.

"What are you going to do with $10 [a month]," asks Ahmed Rodriguez, 21 years old.

As a reply, the Cuban government launched a campaign called "The Battle of Ideas" (whose origins belong to another historical affair). A brand that encapsulates a broad strategy of propaganda and restructuring of battered infrastructure and increased social services. The Cuban government has boasted "the restoration of 84 hospitals, the expansion of 498 small medical clinics and the installation of 155 high-tech medical machines," as well as training 34,877 new social workers. Only time will tell if such improvements have a positive impact.

But, it seems that the real Battle of Ideas is happening outside of Cuba, where real "fighters" have been placed on the front lines of the ideological war between nations. Recent defections by top Cuban boxers last December, and the recent (and continuing) dispute over two fighters in Brazil has once again brought attention to the main opponents of the Battle of Ideas: Cuba versus the free markets.

Unfortunately, like in most conflicts, it is the soldier who makes the first sacrifice before the leader.

[Part 2]