Cuba would not have been the same without the overthrow of the US-backed dictator Batista in 1959 by Fidel Castro and his group of revolutionaries.

Although demonised and ostracised by the US for decades, Cuba became a model nation for many countries in the Third World seeking to free themselves from colonialism and imperialism.

Since the time of the revolution and until today, Cuba stands out as a country that made remarkable progress in healthcare, eradication of poverty, education and sporting activities.

Castro passed the reins of power to his brother Raul in 2008 due to ill health but remained as the icon for Cubans and others in Latin American countries. Despite so many attempts on his life by the US, Castro emerged as an unmatched revolutionary politician loved and cherished by his people.

It is only a small group of former Cuban exiles in Florida who were opposed to him and upon hearing his death, celebrated by throwing midnight parties.

While many countries lowered their flags half-mast as a mark of respect for a great leader, however, the US, unable to forgive itself for allowing Cuba to flourish politically has had nothing but contempt for him. President-elect Donald Trump showed his venom by saying that a dictator had passed away.

Although the relationship between both the countries has improved over the years and especially during the term of President Barack Obama, still mistrust and enmity exists between the two nations. The Cuban exiles are not actually helping the situation.

Castro’s death might have brought to the fore some of the old differences, but then it would be difficult to fully turn the clock back given so much progress made with the improvements in bilateral relationship, particularly between the people of both the countries.

For Castro, after having accomplished the revolution, it was “socialism in one country”. He decided to focus his attention on addressing some of the pressing problems faced by the Cuban toiling masses.

It fell upon another revolutionary firebrand, Che Guevara, an Argentinian, to export revolution to the oppressed nations of Latin America. While Castro supported him, he could not really do much to sustain Che’s revolutionary activities in Latin American. In organising the Bolivian peasants, Che finally met his unfortunate death. The Bolivian Special Forces trained by the American CIA killed Che.

Commander Fidel Castro might have died but it would be difficult to erase his memory from true minds of Cubans who virtually hero-worshipped him as their saviour. To those oppressed people in other Third World Countries, Castro will remain a symbol for their eventual emancipation.

P Ramasamy is deputy chief minister II of Penang.

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