August 04, 2008

A Cuban Dissident Returns

Former Cuban political Hector Palacios, now in Spain, to return to Cuba next month. From the Wall Street Journal:

A Dissident's Return to Cuba

On a muggy Friday evening in New York City last month, some 70 people gathered in a midtown office building to hear former Cuban political prisoner Hector Palacios talk Cuban politics.

Dressed in a neatly pressed white guayabera shirt and khaki trousers, Mr. Palacios could pass for your average Cuban exile. But he has set himself apart from the rest of his refugee community by declaring his intention to return to his homeland next month.

An exiled Cuban dissident believes the current Cuban regime is on the brink of collapse. Mary Anastasia O'Grady of the WSJ Editorial page tells Kelsey Hubbard why the ex-prisoner plans to go back and risk persecution. (Aug. 4)
To anyone familiar with his story of torture at the hands of revolutionary enforcers in 2003-2006, this sounds like certifiable insanity. But as I listened to him and later to his wife Gisela Delgado, who was with him that night, I learned that the couple's decision, while not without risk, is also not without reason.

I truly hope he's right, but, in all honesty, with a regime as historically fraudulent and brutal, I dont see them losening their grip on power on their own. Of course, given the population's disillusionment with the system and their economic and societal woes, perhaps they might be on the brink of revolt. Toss in Sherritt International's bailing on their oil deals with Cuba, plus nickel prices at a two year low, and a slew of other economic issues on the island and things, economically speaking, dont look like theyre gonna be getting any better anytime soon.

Posted by Val Prieto at August 4, 2008 12:34 PM



Comments

Sounds to me like he is taking a huge risk by going back. The prison system is still functioning. I think there are different factions duking it out in the government, but that does not mean that the system is on the verge of collapse, and even if it were, what is going to replace it? I hope he is right, and I hope he knows a lot that I don't know.

Posted by: Mariana [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 4, 2008 01:00 PM

From up here in N. Florida, the regime seems to be teetering on the edge. I think a good shove in the right direction sends them over.

I don't think this is the shove necessary to accomplish revolution, tho. I hope I'm wrong, tho.

Posted by: I R A Darth Aggie [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 4, 2008 04:03 PM

Okay, could you please explain to me what "a good shove" would be, exactly. Who has the weapons?

Posted by: Mariana [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 4, 2008 04:45 PM

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