Using fake news to destabilise countries

Fake news or propaganda, it all adds up to the same thing — disinformation, and the master of the science is once again at work, confusing gullible people.

If such propaganda is to be believed, Fidel Castro was a corrupt drug smuggler. He could not sleep two nights in the same place for fear of the assassination plots engineered against him by the mightiest nation on Earth.

Every effort was made to bring the Cuban economy to its knees, and to a point they succeeded.

The infamous and illegal trade embargo sought to prevent all countries from trading with Cuba, and the country has not been able to fully recover.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, few countries were willing to take the chance of trading with Cuba. The strongest supporter that the beleaguered nation had was Venezuela. Even before the oil boom of the last decade, Venezuela stood by its staunch ally and refused to be cowed by the US. The Cuban people have struggled manfully to maintain their independence in the face of sanctions rejected by virtually every other country, but insisted on by the world policeman.

The strength of the Cuban people is being tested every day, and they have stood strong, resolute in their determination not to be dictated to by any other country. Things are not as good as the people may want but it is their country and they are determined to make it on their own strength, despite the attempts at interference by big brother.

The Venezuelan people are equally adamant that outside interference will not be allowed to prevail, despite the machinations of a few power-hungry politicians, bent on their own personal agendas.

The continuing attempts to create discord in that country, even with the willing compliance of people who are only interested in their own pursuit of power, will not be allowed to destroy what has been created over the last several years.

What Hugo Chavez sought to achieve was a greater distribution of the nation’s oil wealth, such as has gained commendation for our governments over the years by a knowledgeable columnist. The success of this strategy is still to be determined, but it would be interesting to find out if there are people who oppose the principle.

Whether the Venezuelan people will succeed in their drive to create their own society without outside interference is left to be seen, but it cannot be reasonable that they should be condemned for wanting to do so.

KARAN MAHABIRSINGH Carapichaima