Piero Gleijeses, Professor of American foreign policy at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University discusses the history behind the relationship between Cuba and Africa. Courtesy of Democracy Now.
Do you ever wonder why people of European descent, especially in America, hate Cuba so much? There are instances in history that can help you to understand the deeply rooted hate (and subsequent fear) of Fidel and Raul Castro.
In 1991, Nelson Mandela visited Cuba and thanked Fidel Castro for the aid that Cuba has given to African nations in the form of training and resources. Cuba sent 36,000 troops to fight against western backed attacks on Angola by white South African apartheid forces between November 1975 and April 1976. Cuba and Angola were successful in forcing white South Africans to retreat. Cuba continued to provide support to Angola to maintain their independence.
Cubans have supported people of African descent throughout the world in the fight for liberation from oppression and they refuse to be controlled by outside nations. Is this the real reason behind why many are outraged behind a moment of humanity in the form of a handshake to the President of Cuba, Raul Castro?