Choosing Sides

When it comes to Cuba, it should be easy to decide who to side with. You have fidel the murderous dictator and his cronies, and you have those who desire freedom for Cubans.

Easy choice, right? It should be, but it isn't. There are those whose anti-Americanism is so rampant to the point of actually rooting for the bearded one simply because he hates the United States and everything it stands for. There are also those who actually believe in the socialist model and think that "free" education and health care are more important than ones freedom and human rights.

Those people are pretty much helpless. But now it gets tricky. There's another group that gives the impression that they're on the side of freedom and democracy, yet continue to prove otherwise.

In this group is the government of Spain, the motherland to most Cubans and Cuban-Americans. Henry Gomez, a.k.a Conductor, has launched the debut Bloggers United for Cuban Liberty (BUCL) campaign which shines a bright spotlight on Spain's chokehold on Cuban business and tourism. This business and tourism that Spain willingly gives to Cuba does little more than line the pockets of fidel castro and his gang of bandits, while the average Cuban suffers from a measly salary, no freedom and no future. By doing business with the castros, Spain is choosing the wrong side.

Why is singling out Spain so important when other countries do business with Cuba as well?

It is Spain that colonized Cuba for centuries.

It is Spain that speaks the same language and shares so many cultural ties with Cuba.

It is Spain that is the birthplace of millions of Cubans' ancestors and the launching point for so many who emigrated to Cuba, including my own ancestors.

It is Spain that should understand the hardships of enduring a dictatorship.

It is Spain who has catapulted into modern Europe through belief in democracy.

Therefore, it is Spain that should be leading the way for change in Cuba.

Instead, Spain enables the Cuban regime by giving them their business instead of demanding immediate basic human rights.

I am proud to be a sponsor for this BUCL campaign. At the same time, it hurts because I know Spain can do better. Spain SHOULD do better.

I urge all of you reading this to ask Spain to stop doing business with Cuba and demand that the regime begin releasing political prisoners and instituting basic human rights for all Cubans.

Campaign Against Spanish Oppression

Welcome to Bloggers United for Cuba Liberty readers!

As you probably know by now, Bloggers United for Cuba Liberty's debut campaign deals with Spain. More specifically, it deals with Spain's inability, or lack of interest, in promoting freedom in Cuba. Instead of working with dissidents to foster change, Spain continues to do business with the castro regime, not to mention send floods of tourists to the ex-Spanish colony.

I must admit that this is not as easy one for me to swallow. As the case with most Cuban-Americans, we have strong cultural and ethnic ties with Spain. I have always admired Spanish culture and have thoroughly enjoyed my two visits to Spain. Nevertheless, Spanish foreign policy under the Zapatero Administration has been nothing but a huge letdown for me. I long for the days when Popular Party (right-wing) President Jose Maria Aznar ran the show in Spain; days when Spain stood up against tyranny and defended freedom-loving people worldwide.

I am proud to be a sponsor for BUCL's campaign and will continue to raise awareness on this issue.

Most Cuban bloggers have dealt with this issue at one time or another, and this blog is no exception. Read the following for background on the Spain/Cuba issue:

- Zapatero No Help to Cubans

- Spain Sells Military Equipment to Venezuela

- From 2005, Spain's Moratinos Says Dialogue with Cuba Must Continue

- From 2007, Spain's Moratinos Insists Dialogue with Cuba Must Continue