May 30, 2007
Behind the Scenes with the CDR
This afternoon, Val Prieto approached me via email with regards to becoming a Babalu contributor. After having met Val, Henry, George, Ziva and several other folks at this year's Cuba Nostalgia event, I simply had to accept. With that, it is indeed an honor and a privilege to offer for your consumption - my first post.
For decades, the Committees for Defense of the Revolution have worked as the eyes and ears of a morally bankrupt regime. A few years ago, the CDRs celebrated their 40th anniversary with rum-fueled gatherings across the island. This recording of one such gathering was made on the sly, using a digital recorder hidden in a small pocket sewn into the underside of a bag and smuggled into the party. The individual who sent it to me (this person shall remain nameless) recorded what follows after having been introduced to the local CDR cadres as the cousin of a local resident visiting from another province in Cuba.
What is perhaps most interesting is the fact that in speaking to the members of the young crowd at the party, this enterprising journalist found that none of them actually believed in the CDRs, rather, they had simply come for the free rum - something our anonymous journo labeled as a clear gasoline-like substance. Ahhh, government rum in Cuba. Delectable!
Following the transcript is the actual audio for your listening displeasure.
Transcription from the original Spanish
Local CDR president: Well friends, please pay attention to me over here. It's now 12 midnight, the 18th has arrived and as such, it's time to say:
Long live the revolution!
Crowd: Viva!
Local CDR president: Long life the Committees for Defense of the Revolution!
Crowd: Viva!
Local CDR president: Long live our commander in chief!
Crowd: Viva!
Local CDR president: Fatherland or death . . .
Crowd: We will be victorious!
Local CDR president: Let the music continue.
If what follows below doesn't raise the hairs on the back of your neck, I don't know what will.
-Anatasio Blanco
Posted by at May 30, 2007 05:44 PM
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Comments
ta bueno..... que siga la fiesta carajo
Posted by: Abajofidel ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.babalublog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at May 30, 2007 06:57 PM
Those rats, they must be shaking in their cold hearts worrying about their future in a free Cuba.
Anatasio, it was a pleasure meeting you at Nostalgia. Welcome!
Posted by: Ziva at May 30, 2007 07:04 PM
Thanks Ziva! To tell you the truth, for a fellow as shy as myself, it was quite a day. By the end however, I felt right at home.
Best,
-Anatasio
Posted by: CubaWatch at May 30, 2007 11:09 PM
hey i got no sound card whats it say...
Posted by: daniel_in_garanhuns at May 31, 2007 07:21 AM
Sadly, and ultimately tragically, there were always too many people in Cuba who were at least latent CDR material. Such people were absolutely essential and critical to the success of Castro's plan. It didn't succeed because he was such a horrible person (though he was and is); it succeeded because enough Cubans were prepared to play his game. Venezuela is exactly the same story.
Posted by: asombra at May 31, 2007 11:27 AM
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