Tag Archives: Fidel Castro

Is Assata Shakur safe now that Fidel has died?

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Assata Shakur – Photo Source: instagram @haliesalassie96

Former Black Panther Assata Shakur may be adversely affected by the recent death of Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro.

Assata explains in her own words what happened and why she currently has political asylum in Cuba.

“My name is Assata (“she who struggles”) Olugbala ( “for the people” ) Shakur (“the thankful one”), and I am a 20th century escaped slave. Because of  government persecution, I was left with no other choice than to flee from the political repression, racism and violence that dominate the US government’s policy towards people of color. I am an ex political prisoner, and I have been living in exile in Cuba since 1984. I have been a political activist most of my life, and although the U.S. government has done everything in its power to criminalize me, I am not a criminal, nor have I ever been one. In the 1960s, I participated in various struggles: the black liberation movement, the student rights movement, and the movement to end the war in Vietnam. I  joined the Black Panther Party. By 1969 the Black Panther Party had become the number one organization targeted by the FBI’s COINTELPRO program. because the Black Panther Party demanded the total liberation of black people, J. Edgar  Hoover called it “greatest threat to the internal security of the country” and  vowed to destroy it and its leaders and activists.”

The lines of communication have opened between Cuba and the United States after a vote by the United Nations urged the United States to lift the economic embargo in 2015. As a result of this vote both countries are now on speaking terms and travel restrictions are being lifted.

The FBI is currently offering a reward of up to 1,000,000 for the apprehension of Assata. She was charged with a murder in 1973. She was found guilty of first degree murder in 1977 and was sentenced to life in prison. She escaped and now lives in Cuba.

Now that the two countries are communicating, what will they be willing to do to sweeten any deals that may be in the works. Will Assata be used as a pawn. Their is a cry for President Obama to grant her a pardon before he leave office. Twitter is talking.

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BREAKING: Cuba’s polarizing former leader Fidel Castro dead at 90

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Fidel Castro – Photo Source: instagram @kwetutanzania

Cuba’s state television has confirmed the death of their former leader Fidel Castro. This happens at a historic time in this country when relations with Cuba are on the mend and travel between the United States and Cuba is now allowed. Castro’s career as a politician came to prominence when he planned to overthrow Cuban President Fulgencio Batista. He did not succeed. He regrouped after serving a year in prison joined forces with his brother and the beloved revolutionary Che Guevara. The next attempt to overthrow Batista was successful. Castro rose to power and ultimately became Prime Minister of Cuba.

Castro was a thorn in the side of the United States because of his relation with the Soviet Union. This relationship lead to the Bay Of Pigs invasion in 1961 the invasion was an attempt to overthrow Castro. It failed. The relationship forged with the Soviet Union grew stronger as a result of the United States actions. Castro allowed the Soviet Union to place nuclear weapons on the island. This prompted the Cuban Missile Crisis and was a turning point in the Cold War of 1962.

In February of 1962 President Kennedy established an embargo against Cuba to reduce “the threat posed by its alignment with communist powers” The embargo included almost all imports from Cuba. This embargo helped to cripple the countries economy and caused many of the countries elite to flee the country for resettlement in the United States. The large concentration of Cubans in Miami is a direct reflection of this mass flight.

A vote by the United Nation in 2015 urged the United States to lift the economic embargo against Cuba. Last December, President Obama ordered full restoration of diplomatic relations with Cuba. Travel restrictions have been eased. The 56-year-old embargo is only allowed to be lifted by congress.

In 2008 Fidel stepped down as president of Cuba after falling ill. He handed over power to his brother Raul Castro who currently holds the position.

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