Post-Franco Spain and Cuba

Abstract

Paradoxically, Francoism still enjoyed a considerable degree of presence after democracy was restored in Spain. All social evils that previously were covered up by the dictatorial regime shot up to the surface. The economic crisis of the 1970s, the labor strikes, the trend of drug abuse, and the crime rate were all seen by the right wing as caused by the recovered liberties, free from authoritarian restraint. Ironically, Cuban exiles (especially those with Spanish roots) allied themselves with the people who sighed, “With Franco we were better off,” which was close to “With Batista we were better off.”

Cuba had an astoundingly large number of political prisoners living in deplorable conditions; more than a half million Cubans wished to leave. Civil rights are denied.

Spanish ambassador Mercedes Rico, director of the Human Rights Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1988

The 12th of October is an infamous and nefast date.

Fidel Castro, on 500th anniversary of Columbus’s feat, 1990

Si mueves pieza (If you move your piece [democracy]), yo moveré la mía (I’ll move mine [aid]).

President José María Aznar, offer to Castro, 1997

The dignity of Cuba cannot be played with on a chess board.

Fidel Castro, answer to Aznar (caballerito), 1997

Who made this follón?

Question posed by a Spanish high diplomatic figure when confronting the clash between Spain’s Prime Minister Aznar and Castro, 1997