Today, even the world’s largest democracies have embraced the idea that unconditional “engagement” with Cuba’s “reformist” military dictatorship will bring about economic and political reform. As a result, they have afforded it widespread impunity, legitimacy, and support. Yet, Raúl has been supreme leader of Cuba for over a decade and Cuba’s “capitalist” re-insertion into world markets after the end of Soviet Communism began over a quarter century ago. The evidence to date shows no significant empowerment of Cuba’s citizens with economic, civil or political rights during Raúl Castro´s tenure as president. Instead, repression and persecution against human rights’ defenders and members of Cuba’s peaceful opposition movement and independent civil society has greatly intensified both in scope and viciousness. Internationally, Cuba’s alliances have strengthened with totalitarian/autocratic and rogue regimes.
RAÚL CASTRO´S TRACK RECORD OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY
Nothing in Raúl Castro’s history denotes a disposition to reform; rather, he has been directly responsible for unspeakable and systematic crimes against humanity over the course of the 57 year-old dictatorship —first as second-in-command and head of the Armed Forces until July 2006 and, subsequently, as “maximum” leader for the last ten years.
Raúl Castro’s killing career began early on. During the revolutionary struggle in the mountains, he ordered the execution of deserters and alleged informants. When the revolution took power January 1st 1959, with brother Fidel and Ché Guevara, he masterminded the wave of terror designed to reduce the population into submission. In charge of Oriente province, Raúl had hundreds of men executed simply for wearing the uniform of the Police or Constitutional Armed Forces. In Santiago de Cuba, he ordered 71 men shot by firing squad without trial. Among the victims was U.S. citizen of Puerto Rican heritage, Benito Cortés Maldonado, a policeman put to death on fabricated charges of raping a woman.
Video testimony of priest Jorge Bez Chabebe on the mass execution ordered by Raúl Castro in Santiago de Cuba on January 12 1959. https://youtu.be/MS60-myaU3g (9:03 mins.)
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