The Cuban people on the Island deserve better

“Primo, ¿qué pasa con Estados Unidos, por qué se están portando así con nosotros? ¿Por qué nos tienen tanto odio? Están actuando como unos criminales. Otra vez llevamos más de 24 horas sin corriente. La poquita comida que tenemos se nos está echando a perder. Mi hermano, que está enfermo, casi no puede dormir con esta oscuridad tan grande. Yo tengo la presión por las nubes. ¿Por qué, primo? ¿Por qué son tan crueles con nosotros?”

That was my 65-year-old cousin, who has remained on the island of Cuba, voicing her desperation and her not understanding why the US is making life so much harder for them.

During a recent family WhatsApp conversation, which can only happen when the electricity and internet are working, her desperation shone thru in every word.

For all these years after the People’s Revolution triumphed in 1959, she took care of her mother, her children and now continues to take care of her sickly brother.

And her constant question is … “why is the US wanting to kill us?”

I share … because of an insatiable need to steal other countries’ natural resources, revenge for the Cuban people not bending over for US imperialism, and mainly nowadays because of Trump’s narcissistic, corrupt, and inhumane ways. Because of the greed of billionaires who see not human beings, a sovereign nation, and the beauty, culture, and history of other countries like Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Hawaii (to name a few), instead, they see ways to add even more pennies to their greedy pockets.

Although it doesn’t help them much, I also share that Latinos in the US aren’t faring much better…the targeting, the detention camps, the outright racism and bigotry towards Latinos. I do share that protests are growing louder and louder in the US, and that his administration feels on the verge of imploding — but we know, on both sides, that might be wishful thinking.

What I don't share is news about Miami Cubans — their cruelty and greed in wanting to return to the island and “retake” what isn’t theirs anymore. Their glee in Cubans on the island suffering simply to hurt the Cuban government. Those Cubans may flourish in the US because of their “money above family, above humanity, mindset.” It’s unfathomable to me, and I think it would be the saddest part for my family. As they, too, have family in Florida.

In the meantime, here in the US, we do what we can — send food (more and more, canned foods — just in case). Send antibiotics and medicines … again, just in case the ability to send to Cuba (the few items we can) is cut off. Send rechargeable light bulbs for the “abagones.”

And on the island, my cousins continue to do what they can — be resilient, use their brains and resources to find ways to survive, keep optimism alive, share generously with their neighbors and vice versa, use their food and medicines sparingly, and continue to wonder what the hell possesses the United States to be so arrogant and cruel.

And we always end the conversations the same way … our money is on the Cuban people on the island.

Meanwhile, we mourn our beautiful island nation — with such beautiful scenery, pristine beaches, progressive culture, contributors to the world of medicine, happy, intelligent, and innovative people — now degraded to trash-filled streets, hungry people, constant blackouts, and a dismal outlook simply because the US can’t seem to keep its hands out of other countries.