Behind the Scenes with the CDR

This afternoon, Val Prieto approached me via email with regards to becoming a Babalu contributor. After having met Val, Henry, George, Ziva and several other folks at this year’s Cuba Nostalgia event, I simply had to accept. With that, it is indeed an honor and a privilege to offer for your consumption – my first post.
For decades, the Committees for Defense of the Revolution have worked as the eyes and ears of a morally bankrupt regime. A few years ago, the CDRs celebrated their 40th anniversary with rum-fueled gatherings across the island. This recording of one such gathering was made on the sly, using a digital recorder hidden in a small pocket sewn into the underside of a bag and smuggled into the party. The individual who sent it to me (this person shall remain nameless) recorded what follows after having been introduced to the local CDR cadres as the cousin of a local resident visiting from another province in Cuba.
What is perhaps most interesting is the fact that in speaking to the members of the young crowd at the party, this enterprising journalist found that none of them actually believed in the CDRs, rather, they had simply come for the free rum – something our anonymous journo labeled as a clear gasoline-like substance. Ahhh, government rum in Cuba. Delectable!
Following the transcript is the actual audio for your listening displeasure.
Transcription from the original Spanish
Local CDR president: Well friends, please pay attention to me over here. It’s now 12 midnight, the 18th has arrived and as such, it’s time to say:
Long live the revolution!
Crowd: Viva!
Local CDR president: Long life the Committees for Defense of the Revolution!
Crowd: Viva!
Local CDR president: Long live our commander in chief!
Crowd: Viva!
Local CDR president: Fatherland or death . . .
Crowd: We will be victorious!
Local CDR president: Let the music continue.
If what follows below doesn’t raise the hairs on the back of your neck, I don’t know what will.
CDR Audio
-Anatasio Blanco