A few questions on the Batista gov't

[Knowledge 6 6 6]

K, these are some questions that i have, and also that haven't been answered by ppl i ask, so here goes :

1.) In 1934, Fulgencio Batista took over the Cuban gov't, and basically installed himself as dictator, and ruled until 1940 when he is elected president. If Cuba was annexed by America back in 1898, why wouldn't the American gov't try to step in and get that guy outta power? Wasnt Cuba (then) part of America??

2.) I've heard rumours of Castro being behind Guevara's murder. Is this true? Why would Castro want his very close friend to be dead? Could it be that he was a bigger threat to America than Castro was at the time?

3.) Who did Guevara kill, and why did he kill these people (i heard in the neighbourhood of 12 ppl dead at the hands of Guevara)? Is it because they opposed him? If it is, then, i guess cant we conclude that he is no better than Columbus, who not only spear-headed slavery in the 'new world', but also killed anyone who got in his way...(just a thought, plz dont get mad, lol)

I think those are all the questions for now...there'll be more once i remember some.

Thanks again,
Knowledge

[Ortega]

Originally posted by Knowledge 6 6 [email protected] 17 2004, 10:23 AM
K, these are some questions that i have, and also that haven't been answered by ppl i ask, so here goes :

1.) In 1934, Fulgencio Batista took over the Cuban gov't, and basically installed himself as dictator, and ruled until 1940 when he is elected president. If Cuba was annexed by America back in 1898, why wouldn't the American gov't try to step in and get that guy outta power? Wasnt Cuba (then) part of America??

2.) I've heard rumours of Castro being behind Guevara's murder. Is this true? Why would Castro want his very close friend to be dead? Could it be that he was a bigger threat to America than Castro was at the time?

3.) Who did Guevara kill, and why did he kill these people (i heard in the neighbourhood of 12 ppl dead at the hands of Guevara)? Is it because they opposed him? If it is, then, i guess cant we conclude that he is no better than Columbus, who not only spear-headed slavery in the 'new world', but also killed anyone who got in his way...(just a thought, plz dont get mad, lol)

I think those are all the questions for now...there'll be more once i remember some.

Thanks again,
Knowledge
1) America was actually very much in support of Batista - he was favorable towards America. He was basically controlled by America. He turned Cuba into America's vacation place - a Carribean hideaway where Americans could go get drunk and gamble.

2) That's a very good question. I'm actually writing a paper on it for school as we speak, as I'm curious about it myself - I'll get back to you once I know more.

3) He killed far more than 12. When Che and Fidel were in the Sierra Maestra, fighting Batista's forces, Che was usually the one to volunteer to execute the traitors, thieves, and liars in the Rebel Army. And after the revolution, he personally executed quite a few Batistianos. He only killed those who would have killed him otherwise, or those who posed a great threat to the revolution.

I hope that answers your questions somewhat... and cool avatar, I have a poster of the same picture in my room.

[toastedmonkey]

1.) In 1934, Fulgencio Batista took over the Cuban gov't, and basically installed himself as dictator, and ruled until 1940 when he is elected president. If Cuba was annexed by America back in 1898, why wouldn't the American gov't try to step in and get that guy outta power? Wasnt Cuba (then) part of America??1. It was still a part of america, he just made it easier and a better place for the americans.

2.) I've heard rumours of Castro being behind Guevara's murder. Is this true? Why would Castro want his very close friend to be dead? Could it be that he was a bigger threat to America than Castro was at the time?2. I cant understand the third point, if he was a bigger threat to america then castro would want him apart of his team wouldnt he???
I seriously doubt it is true, i wouldnt be suprised if it was more properganda to try and delude people further about castro. If it was true they would be able to say "The evil dictator who even had his lifelong best friend murdered!" They did the same when che 'dissapeared' from cuba, trying to make it look like castro was an evil man.

3.) Who did Guevara kill, and why did he kill these people (i heard in the neighbourhood of 12 ppl dead at the hands of Guevara)? Is it because they opposed him? If it is, then, i guess cant we conclude that he is no better than Columbus, who not only spear-headed slavery in the 'new world', but also killed anyone who got in his wayWhere did you here that story, im unfamiliar with it. He killed, yes. But do you expect you can have a successful armed revolution without any deaths? They killed people who had betrayed the revolutionary cause, at the time they could not afford vital information to the revolution survival being leaked. Later when they had more momentum, they took prisoners rather than kill.

[Knowledge 6 6 6]

toastedmonkey, why I asked about Fidel being behind Che's death was because Che was a far more superior leader amidst the people than he was, thus a bigger threat to America. I think America realised this and the CIA (apparently from what i have read) sent Bolivian soldiers to kill him. I've also heard of ppl saying that Fidel knew Che was going to die and did absolutely nothing to stop it. Others say Fidel helped arrange for Che to be killed...its all just a big question/debate that I've had with a few ppl, again that have led nowhere.

In my opinion, Che was more of a leader, more popular, more knowledgeable than Castro. I'm not all for Castro, he's done horrible things, Che was no saint either, but was a far more superior leader in the sense that he understood the international realm, and his speeches exemplified just portions of his knowledge.

He also had a degree in medicine, worked in hospitals, very smart. Castro is extremely intelligent, dont get me wrong...but when it comes down to it, i think Castro knew Guevara was better than he, and the people knew it as well...

(look at all the Guevara faces everywhere!)

juss my 2 cents on this matter...

[The Feral Underclass]

:lol:

[toastedmonkey]

Of course che's image is everywhere he died young and for his beliefs making him a martyr and a very popular one at that. If the fidel had of died instead of che, it would be fidels image we see.

Personally i think Castro is the better leader, once thet had landed in cuba and the majority of the rebels were killed castro kept them together and led them to victory. Che had better opertuinites but didnt handle it aswell as fidel.

i would say Fidel is equally intellegent, he is a lawyer afterall.
I dont want this to turn into a Che Vs Fidel thread, it would be endless and pointless.

There wasnt much Fidel or Cuba could do for Che in Bolivia, his radio had broke so he sent a letter to cuba, that got to cuba on the eve of his death.
To me it does not make any logical sense whatsoever for Fidel to want Che dead. They were best friends afterall and had been through a lot more than most friendships do.
I still dont get your point with Che being a bigger threat to America than Fidel was.
they were on the same side!!! they were a big threat together!
It doesnt help Fidel in any way to have che killed.

[Knowledge 6 6 6]

I think America realized that they could live w/ Castro being leader of Cuba, just because he wouldnt be as inluential to other nations to stop or refuse trade with America. Guevara promoted highly that Latin America and countries that were neo-colonialized by America (such as Guyana) should view America as an evil...

Just look at Guevara's address to the UN on Dec. 11, 1964. Look at how many countries he speaks of...too many to count man, lol.

[Le Libérer]

Keep in mind Castro read Che's farewell letter to the Cuban people. That letter was intended to be read only after Che's death. Che felt betrayed by Castro for reading the letter while he was still alive. Therefore he stayed in Bolivia. I've often wondered why Castro read a farewell letter written by Che, when he did. He obvioulsy was intimated by Ches popularity, which was massive among the Cuban people.

[Ortega]

Originally posted by Debora [email protected] 17 2004, 10:21 PM
Keep in mind Castro read Che's farewell letter to the Cuban people. That letter was intended to be read only after Che's death. Che felt betrayed by Castro for reading the letter while he was still alive. Therefore he stayed in Bolivia. I've often wondered why Castro read a farewell letter written by Che, when he did. He obvioulsy was intimated by Ches popularity, which was massive among the Cuban people.
I read that Che was in Africa when the letter was read, and he heard of its reading in some way - radio, probably. People there said that he then stood up and paced around, calling Fidel "full of shit" and a "shithead."

Interesting... Che clearly did not want the letter read at that time...

[Ortega]

Originally posted by Knowledge 6 6 [email protected] 17 2004, 08:15 PM
toastedmonkey, why I asked about Fidel being behind Che's death was because Che was a far more superior leader amidst the people than he was, thus a bigger threat to America. I think America realised this and the CIA (apparently from what i have read) sent Bolivian soldiers to kill him. I've also heard of ppl saying that Fidel knew Che was going to die and did absolutely nothing to stop it. Others say Fidel helped arrange for Che to be killed...its all just a big question/debate that I've had with a few ppl, again that have led nowhere.

In my opinion, Che was more of a leader, more popular, more knowledgeable than Castro. I'm not all for Castro, he's done horrible things, Che was no saint either, but was a far more superior leader in the sense that he understood the international realm, and his speeches exemplified just portions of his knowledge.

He also had a degree in medicine, worked in hospitals, very smart. Castro is extremely intelligent, dont get me wrong...but when it comes down to it, i think Castro knew Guevara was better than he, and the people knew it as well...

(look at all the Guevara faces everywhere!)

juss my 2 cents on this matter...
I agree with you on most of that, Knowledge. I don't think that Fidel neccesarily arranged for Che's death, but he was undoubtedly intimidated by him, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if Fidel knew that Che was going to die, but did absolutely nothing about it.

[LuZhiming]

Oh please, Fidel had nothing to do with Che's death. There is really no evidence for this at all. And logically, why on earth would he do something so stupid? If Che Guevara's operations were successful, it would probably do the opposite of harming Cuba, and considering the U.S. was hunting down Che, I don't know why Fidel would ever aid in something like that....

The claim that Fidel killed Che is a baseless one from propagandists.

I don't agree that Che was a greater leader than Fidel either. Che was a great right hand man. He was brave, he was passionate, he was honest, loyal, etc. But he didn't have the rationality or intelligence (Even though I do believe Che was fairly smart himself) that Fidel had. And c'mon, Che could never deliver a speech and make a crowd go ecstatic like Fidel always has been able to. ;) There is no way Che was more charismatic than Fidel either. Most of the fame Che ended was [sadly] gained from a general reputation and image of him. Che was a passionate warrior and doctor, but he just couldn't be the leader Fidel has always been. Fidel is one of the greatest leaders of his time.


I think America realized that they could live w/ Castro being leader of Cuba, just because he wouldnt be as inluential to other nations to stop or refuse trade with America. Guevara promoted highly that Latin America and countries that were neo-colonialized by America (such as Guyana) should view America as an evil...

Just look at Guevara's address to the UN on Dec. 11, 1964. Look at how many countries he speaks of...too many to count man, lol.

This just isn't true. Not that I am denying what you said about Che specifically, but Castro was quite influencial himself. The very existance of the Cuban Revolution threatened U.S. hegemony. And one shouldn't forget that Fidel funded movements in Latin America, and had friendships with some other great leaders (And strong opponents of the U.S.) like Daniel Ortega, Maurice Bishop, and now Hugo Chavez.