The United States' interference in Cuba was yet another in a long line of American imperialism driving military action in foreign affairs. One of the more frustrating aspects of the U.S. meddling in Cuban affairs is that the Cuban people would have won without assistance. The United States literally swooped in during the final seconds and took credit for the entire effort (Gates 186).
In true American fashion, once they arrived, they refused to leave until the country established a government it (America) found acceptable. Gates and the people he interviewed tell a story of America arriving and bringing its racism, ideologies, and customs with it, forcing the people of Cuba to comply under the threat of continued occupation. "You need us, remember? You wouldn't be free from Spain without us!" I am taking all the liberties with this paraphrasing.
Contrast Gates' version of this history with the following: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zIIBP4wMQ0 (Links to an external site.)
The American version of Cuba's history, as told by white American men, paints Cuba and its government in a completely different light. The United States was there "to help," and Cuba essentially resorted to the evil regime of Communism, allegedly whipped into a frenzy of anti-American ideals by the charismatic Fidel Castro, and resisted their benevolence. We can read that as, no longer willing to be controlled by the U.S. The result, an embargo/blockade - the equivalent of: "If we can't have our way with your country then we'll do our best to cripple your economy until you come running back." Yes, I'm still paraphrasing.
Castro has been painted as an absolute tyrant, but the people of Cuba didn't create that rhetoric. Castro was not without faults, no leader is, but the way that he was presented was through the lens of a country that is still bitter about the break up and is badmouthing their ex on social media.
When America feels that you owe her for a favor, no matter how trivial, she intends to collect in perpetuity and without limitation. If you don't owe her a favor, she may create the conditions to ensure she is there to "help" first. Of course, the U.S. believed that without its intervention, Cuba and its people would fall into anarchy. Without the American version of government, American interests, and the American way, the country would fall into chaos--it's the familiar story we tell ourselves when we don the mantle of, "savior." America never saw itself as the equivalent of Spain in this situation. It only saw what it wanted to get out of Cuba, and it was willing to do whatever it took to ensure unrestricted access. Take a look at the propaganda that was used during the time.
The history of tensions between these two countries continues today with the United States taking opportunities to ridicule Cuba's handling of the COVID 19 (Links to an external site.) pandemic. Countries like North Korea, China, Iran, and Russia are all publicly declaring support for Cuba. While at first glance, the countries listed may seem antithetical to any ideals America holds as a country, take a moment to think about how we've been served news about these foreign governments and why? As in the video above, the U.S. has long spun versions of stories to shape thoughts and actions. The U.S. Government has also attempted to interfere with these governments without the success they planned for. Yasha Levine's book, Surveillance Valley is a great resource for gaining an understanding of how the United States actively manipulates and interferes with the leadership of many countries.
As I come back to Cuba, I arrive at an uneasy feeling about the future. America has long been an international bully, and it is more than capable of twisting perceptions, committing crimes, and lying through smiling teeth while it does anything by any means to further enrich its interests.
America always has ulterior motives, and I agree that they are international bullies. When people ask me, "where am I from?" I try not to say the U.S. because I am ashamed of their harmful intervention in foreign countries.
I completely agree with you that America has always looked out for themselves by bullying other countries and twisting stories around to make them look like the victim or the one who saved the unfortunate souls. Even with all the good things they do such as humanitarian work, I think we cannot be so blinded as to not think America may have some ulterior motive they can benefit from. Almost like a favor for a favor concept. The United States is so use to being seen as one of the great powers of the world and it sure does act or present itself that way. However I think America has always operated out of fear rather than security in its…
Beautiful imagery. America saw an opportunity to colonize Cuba for personal gain. What is interesting is that America wanted to shape Cuba in their own image. Gates work showed how America viewed imposed their prejudices, and values to shape Cuban society. Castro was viewed negatively in America because he challenged their strong hold in Cuba. Nice post