AN OFFICER and veteran of the Cuban revolution and the Bay of Pigs invasion yesterday predicted the state’s socialist system will outlive Fidel and Raúl Castro as it is not dependent on individuals but enjoys the support of the people.
Col Victor Dreke Cruz (74) had taken to the streets to lead protests against Cuba’s dictator Fulgencio Batista when he seized power in March 1952. He later joined Castro’s rebels and fought alongside Che Guevara in the decisive assault on Santa Clara.
Speaking during a visit to Cork City Hall where he met lord mayor Councillor Michael O’Connell, Col Dreke Cruz said he was “100 per cent, no 1,000 per cent” certain that socialism in Cuba would survive the Castros.
“Fidel and Raúl are not the issue, it isn’t about men. It’s about the party and the people. There’s a socialist ideology in Cuba and the revolution depends on the organisation and ideology of the people, if the revolution depended on men, it would not have lasted very long.”
Col Dreke Cruz, who spoke in Connolly Hall at a meeting organised by the Cuba Support Group, said he would welcome the lifting of the US trade embargo on Cuba but not at any price.
“If they do that, it would be good because it would allow us get medicines into Cuba. But our people are prepared to resist the blockade . . . the dignity of the people of Cuba, we would not surrender that just to get rid of a blockade. I am as confident now as I was when I fought at the Bay of Pigs 50 years ago that socialism will survive in Cuba and it’s possible that within 50 years, socialism . . . will be in other countries around the world because capitalism will disappear.
“Socialism is the future . . . I won’t be there in 50 years’ time to celebrate that 100th anniversary of our victory at the Bay of Pigs, but my children and my grandchildren will be there to celebrate it.”