DUELING COLUMN: Bernie’s Comments On Cuba Shouldn’t Be Controversial

Gabriela Enamorado/Staff Writer

As the Democratic party becomes increasingly divided, candidates in the 2020 presidential race continue to muddle themselves in controversy. Most recently, Senator Bernie Sanders caused a stir on Sunday, Feb. 23 when he made some comments about the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. His harmless statement is now one of the many things that the mainstream media and other Democratic candidates are using against him to make him lose popularity among Cuban-American voters. 

In a “60 Minutes” interview, the self-proclaimed democratic socialist said “we’re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba. But, it is simply unfair to say that everything is bad.” He then proceeded to explain that literacy rates are high in Cuba because of the massive literacy programs Castro implemented when he came into power. This was in defense of some comments he made in the 1980s where he said that Castro “educated their kids, gave them health care, totally transformed the society.” 

Many Cuban-Americans were understandably offended by these comments, especially those who came to South Florida seeking refuge from Castro’s authoritarian regime. But to be clear, Sanders never praised the regime or made it seem like it was a great circumstance to live under. All he was really doing was stating facts and acknowledging the areas in which progress had been made in literacy and healthcare. The world is not black and white, and it is disappointing to see the conversation around Cuba become so polarizing across the nation.  

Fact is, what Sanders said remains true. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the literacy rate in Cuba is almost at 100% for all age groups. The World Bank believes Cuba’s education system to be the best in Latin America, with 98% of Cubans continuing their studies after the sixth grade. And Castro’s literacy campaign did transform Cuban society with more women becoming educators and nearly defeating illiteracy. 

In regards to health care, life expectancy in Cuba is 79% compared to the worldwide average of 72.6% and the country has some of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world. Cuba has also produced world-renowned doctors and made great advances in medical research, like eliminating HIV transmission from mother to child. 

Sanders’ statements have gotten all sorts of criticism from political figures such as Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, as well as Representative Donna Shalala who called him insensitive for supposedly “singing praises” towards Castro’s regime, even though Sanders himself said he does not condone the authoritarian government. 

President Obama made a similar comment about Cuba back in 2016, acknowledging that Castro “made great progress in educating young people” and praising the country’s medical care. “The life expectancy of Cubans is equivalent to the United States,” Obama stated. But like Bernie, he also condemned the Cuban government for the repression of its people. 

Both remarks were fairly similar and not radical in the way people are making them out to be. And while it’s true that the “not everything is bad” part can be viewed as insensitive, I think Sanders’ general comments were blown out of proportion, the backlash seems strategic to make undecided voters be wary of Bernie and make him lose his supporters. We should all keep an open mind, do research, and form our own judgment.

Featured photo by Gage Skidmore on Flickr.

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