A free and democratic republic was born in the Caribbean on May 20, 1902. On this day, Cuba, the largest and most beautiful island in the Caribbean, ceased to be a Spanish colony and became a free nation. Unfortunately, that freedom and sovereignty did not last very long. Just a few decades later, in 1959, Cuba was stricken with the cancer of socialism. More than six decades later, the island continues to battle this deadly disease.
It is sad to realize that over the past 122 years since its independence from Spain, Cubans have spent more time under the yoke of tyranny than in freedom. Today, the Cuban people are no less enslaved than they were under Spanish rule. In fact, a good argument can be made that it is much worse. The tyranny Cubans suffer today under the communist Castro dictatorship is much worse than they ever suffered under Spain.
On May 20, 1902, the promise of liberty and sovereignty paid for with the blood and sacrifice of Cuba’s valiant patriots was fulfilled. Today, we celebrate the birth of a free nation and of a free people who refuse to neither lose the hope nor the aspirations to see their beloved Cuba free and sovereign once again.
As we commemorate Cuba’s independence today, we dig into the Babalú archives for the blog’s first post for El 20 de Mayo written by its founder and my friend, Val Prieto, published twenty years ago on May 20, 2004:
20 de Mayo
On May 20th, 1902, a small island in the Caribbean known as Cuba declared her independence from Spain. La Republica de Cuba was officially born on this day 102 years ago.
Today, El 20 de Mayo, is Cuba’s Independence Day.
Yet, despite the hard fought battles of her history, despite the blood and sweat of a noble and brave people, she remains a country under siege. She is an independent country controlled by her self-imposed dependency on one self-imposed man.
One-hundred two years later she remains a country where individual freedoms are foreign. A country where progress is just a word and desperation is a bedfellow. She still lives in chains.
Cuba, the Pearl of the Antilles, land of extraordinary beauty, where palms spring from her like a silken mane. Where ripe oceans caress her silhouette. Where the soil whispers and the air carries a million flowers.
Cuba, land where the warmth of her people hides the frigid despair of their souls. Where hope is the food of millions.
Cuba, land that subsists on tomorrows.