Fidel Castro, the former dictator of Cuba, who handed over power to his brother Raúl in 2008, turned 89 on the 13th of August. Having survived over 638 assassination attempts, Castro celebrated his birthday – with an outrageous birthday wish. In a column in a Cuban newspaper, Castro told the United States that Cuba was owed money to the tune of millions of dollars in reparation for the trade embargo that was instituted in 1962.
“Cuba is owed compensation equivalent to damages, which total many millions of dollars, as our country has stated with irrefutable arguments and data in all of its speeches at the United Nations”. The United States has resumed relations with Cuba – but that doesn’t mean that Americans aren’t dishing out the derision on Castro’s birthday wish. Many disgruntled Americans have taken to the twittersphere to air their disapproval – and giving their government a firm kick in the process.
Fidel, we owe you millions of bombs dropped, not dollars! #Castro
— Chuck Nellis (@ChuckNellis) August 13, 2015
#Castro thinks US owes Cuba Milllions!! Great another group we owe reparations too! Can we just give him Detroit and call it even?
— Scottie Nell Hughes (@scottienhughes) August 13, 2015
Another Obama "deal" gone bust. Now #Castro says we owe billions $$$$ Thanks #obama and #Kerry ! pic.twitter.com/yweArxsS0X
— ThePolicy (@PolicyBot) August 14, 2015
#Castro: #US, U owe us millions in reparations. Is there ANYONE @POTUS CAN'T mk "look good"? http://t.co/j1EprxjIWU pic.twitter.com/8VWltg1AsM
— Shaughn (@Shaughn_A) August 14, 2015
But the background of Castro’s claims has not been overlooked. These demands come at a time when the United States and Cuba have normalised relations. Today, a ceremony in Havana attended by US Secretary of State John Kerry marks the reopening of America’s embassy for the first time 1961. The flag-raising marked the end of official hostilities – but many Americans remain sceptical.
Cash & #Kerry: #Obama admin celebr8s #Cuba embassy #Castro demands reparations. So pathetic. http://t.co/3VqpMpn8gs pic.twitter.com/hlN9mDO1MP
— Shaughn (@Shaughn_A) August 14, 2015
Two factions of the #Communist Party raised an #AmericanFlag in #Cuba today giving #JohnKerry his life long dream of kissing #Castro's ass.
— H L Kallio (@MergerProtected) August 14, 2015
Cuba’s human rights record has ignited the ire of many, and America’s moves to resume normal relations seem to overlook these historical abuses.
#Obama and #Castro no longer the "prisoners of history". #Cuba's political prisoners can go to hell.
— ★ Ƙαѕѕαη∂яα (@KassandraTroy) August 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/Iloveperfumeso/status/632225467282661376
While it is undoubtedly unlikely that the US will ever pay reparations, the eventual re-establishment of trade could see both countries make huge financial gains – poor human rights notwithstanding.
