Solidarity in Havana: A Rally for Venezuela
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Playa Girón: A Historical Reflection
In the tranquil town of Playa Girón, the echoes of history are ever-present. Known for its turquoise waters and modest homes, this location was pivotal in 1961 during the Bay of Pigs invasion, a failed U.S.-backed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro.
Inside the Girón Museum, director Dulce María Limonta del Pozo highlights the tanks and artillery that played a crucial role in repelling the invaders. “The objective,” she explains, “was to establish a foothold and create a transitional government.”
The Monroe Doctrine Revisited
President Trump’s actions in Venezuela have reignited discussions about the Monroe Doctrine, a nearly 200-year-old policy asserting U.S. influence over the Western Hemisphere. Cuba, having experienced the doctrine’s impact firsthand, finds itself once again under U.S. scrutiny.
Limonta del Pozo views the 1961 invasion as a defining moment for the Monroe Doctrine, marking the first significant U.S. military defeat in the Americas. “It demonstrated that we need not fear an empire,” she asserts.
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U.S. Expansionism: A Historical Perspective
Cuba’s leadership, under President Miguel Díaz-Canel, views American expansionism as a long-standing strategy, tracing back to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. “It’s ingrained in their history,” says Alejandro García del Toro, who manages U.S.-Cuba relations. “This is not unexpected.”
Trump’s Renewed Focus on the Hemisphere
President Trump has openly embraced these historical ambitions. During a conversation aboard Air Force One, he suggested that Cuba’s government might soon collapse, citing its dependence on Venezuelan oil. “I don’t think we need to intervene,” he remarked. “It seems to be unraveling on its own.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a staunch critic of Cuba, echoed these sentiments, warning Havana of potential consequences. “If I were in the Cuban government, I’d be worried,” he stated.
The alliance between Venezuela and Cuba has been strong, with Venezuela providing subsidized oil and Cuba offering medical and security support. During the U.S. operation to capture Maduro, 32 Cuban nationals lost their lives, leading to national mourning.
Raul Rodríguez, from the Center for Hemispheric and U.S. Studies, notes Trump’s past interest in strategic locations like the Panama Canal and Greenland. “It’s a form of imperial nostalgia,” he observes.
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Struggles in Playa Girón
In Playa Girón, the impact of these geopolitical tensions is palpable. Fabiana Hernández Ortega, waiting for a milk delivery, recalls the Bay of Pigs invasion. “We saw it as a victory,” she says, though today’s challenges are different.
Due to U.S. sanctions and economic issues, basic necessities like food and medicine are scarce. “We’re fighting for survival,” Hernández explains. “We live day by day.”
Despite the hardships, she remains resilient. “These are the cards we’ve been dealt,” she shrugs, as the milk truck finally arrives, offering a brief respite.
