Title:  What Wilman Villar's tragic death tells us about today's Cuba

Date:  January 24, 2012

Origin:  Fox News

Although William Villar’s name appears in the headline of this article, few details are giving pertaining to the circumstances of his death besides that it occurred in prison resulting from a hunger strike.  The author, Mike Gonzalez, focuses more on a debate he had with Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Sec. of State Colin Powell, the subject of which was Cuba. 

            Gonzalez accuses Wilkerson of condoning the Castro regime’s behavior, classifying his policy as “pro-normalizing,” because it focuses on military and economic cooperation between the current governments of Cuba and the US.  Gonzalez explains that the seemingly liberal measures taken by the Cuban government are actually a means to expand to Cuba’s political influence while simultaneously isolating the oppressed majority of civilians even further. 

            Mr. Gonzalez uses the article mainly to discredit Mr. Wilkerson and others who share his view that corruption is an accepted part of politics and that it should be accommodated for in international negotiations.  William Villar’s case stands as evidence that Cuban citizens are desperately seeking a freer and more just society that does not bow to the idea of absolute political efficacy.

            I was very impressed by the article, even though it originates from one of my least favorite news sources.  There are a few elements that are obviously intended to smear Mr. Gonzalez’s political opposition, but I agree wholeheartedly with the overall message.  The crimes against humanity occurring in Cuba are massively downplayed by most factions of the international community because simply cooperating would be immediately beneficial to both governments involved.  That is why the citizens of both governments must be led to believe that their interests are somehow comparable to those of the decision-makers, which is clearly false.

            The article reinforces my shared belief with Thomas Jefferson that the best government is one that intervenes when absolutely necessary, rather than maintain complete control at all times.  The average citizen, especially in Cuba, is a slave to a fabricated sense of fear that suggests that a large government and military is necessary for the preservation of one’s national culture.