LV Cubans remain united against Castro

Art Nadler

Thursday, Feb. 29, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

While the Las Vegas Cuban-American community differs on how to retaliate against Fidel Castro for downing two civilian planes, it remains united in its tough stance against the dictator.

"I believe the honeymoon between the Clinton administration and the Cuba regime will never end," Aleyda Hernandez said. "I look at Cuba as the mistress of the Democratic Party. We should do the same as we did with Haiti -- a total blockade. Let nothing in."

Waldo De Castroverde, a Cuban paratrooper who took part in the failed 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, still thinks some sort of military action is the only answer. For 37 years, he said, Cubans have been waiting for the Americans to intervene. It's up to Cubans to take action themselves, he said.

"There's a new generation (the exiles who left Cuba) that are willing to go back and try to overthrow Castro," Castroverde said. "We are the ones who should do something about Castro. He is so much in love with power that he will never minimize his control. He's trying to act like the Chinese."

Castroverde thinks Castro took this aggressive action because he was alarmed at Cubans being exposed to tourists from democratic nations. Tourism has been doing well and Cuban-Americans have had no trouble sending money to relatives on the island. He thinks the dictator is worried about losing control.

"Economically, Castro will be hurt by this," Castroverde said. "But this will give him an excuse to increase his control. He started a week before (the downing) arresting people."

Otto Merida thinks European leaders and businessmen have made mistakes carrying on negotiations with Castro. He feels the dictator should be ostracized and diplomatic relations severed until he steps down or is overthrown.

"We are very disappointed with the Clinton administration, too," Merida said. "We have not held a steady course with Castro in the last few years. Castro has given empty promises. We should already know by now where he stands."

In response to the downing of the Brothers to the Rescue small aircraft, the president has stopped all U.S. charter flights to Cuba, restricted Cuban diplomats' travel in this country, frozen $100 million in Cuban assets to pay the victims' families and stepped up support for tougher legislation on the current Cuban embargo.

"I feel angry because what the government is doing now is just slapping Castro's hand," Hernandez said.

So far, telephone lines remain open into Cuba, Hernandez said, adding that it is too soon to tell how Cubans are reacting. Those who do have opinions won't say anything over the phone, she said, for fear of government officials listening.

"The only good out of this is that this will awaken the Cuban community around the world and unite us," Castroverde said. "What we will do, I don't know at this point."