The innumerable assassination attempts on Castro’s life meant that at a particular period, during the presidency of a particular Republican, continued under his Democrat successor, Castro could not sleep two nights consecutively in the same place. His movements were a closely guarded secret to protect him from these US government-supported assassination attempts.

Where else in the world would such actions be tolerated? The Cuban people themselves were so grievously disrespected that not only did the mighty US prevent its business sector from dealing with Cuba, despite its strong desire to do so, but it took action against firms from other countries which had the temerity to trade with Cuba.

In the face of such bullying the government of the country took the decision that all Cubans would be provided with a basic minimum of food and income that they would not starve. The country was being strangled by the US embargo but refused to succumb.

The atrocities visited upon the country by the US cannot be defended, as some people seek to do, but as Fidel himself once said, “History will absolve me.” Words to live by.

The same US that criticised Castro for human rights abuses, much of which is fabricated (if they repeatedly attempted to kill him, would they have reservations about telling lies on him?), used a relic from World War days in Cuba to inflict human rights abuses on Iraqis and others they termed “terrorists” because Americans’ consciences would not tolerate that on American soil.

Those people who rush to condemn supporters of Cuba and Castro need to take off the rose-tinted lenses with which they view the US and face the reality that America has in respect of Cuba been duplicitous.

KARAN MAHABIRSINGH Carapichaima

Research indicates that this is a global phenomenon as well.

In our situation, the outcome of this dilemma is seen in collapsing institutions, debilitating social decay and continuing political and economic uncertainty. The question becomes what do we do about it? We expect our leaders to possess the character to hold true to commonly accepted values and principles, and the vision and competence to guide citizens towards achievement of agreed goals. Equally, they must be committed to building deep, caring connections with people, realising the importance of strong relationships for ensuring continued support of followers.

We also buy into leaders who trust their intuition and sense what we feel, and who are interested and willing to utilise our experience.

True leadership is about lifting people up to perform beyond their perceived limitations: focusing on their potential, not their weakness. Ultimately, successful leaders are followed not for their power, but their ability to motivate and inspire.

These attributes must all come together in meaningful service to people. For leadership is really never about the leaders themselves, but rather the people they serve. This is true for organisations as well as countries. A leader lacking any of these attributes is a leader-in-training.

Today, citizens openly denounce the sad state of political leadership in the country. And rightly so! But we should note that many aspirants to political office develop and sharpen their leadership and management skills in the innumerable community- based, non-governmental, private sector and special interest organisations across the land. These often serve as stepping stones for the ambitious seeking to mount the national political stage.

There is evidence of significant deficiencies in the leadership of such groups. Citizens should therefore act prudently and exercise vigilance in critically examining how these agencies are led and managed. Limiting our scrutiny to political parties demonstrates understandable but gross neglect of our civic duty.

In the longer term, sustainable resolution of the leadership crisis lies in revamping our education system. The challenge here is to broaden the national education curriculum at all levels, to promote education for citizenship, not merely training for occupations; to nurture citizens who can think critically and challenge leadership to higher standards of accountability and performance.

WINSTON R RUDDER Petit Valley

They would divide themselves and occupy two benches. Then the youngest one, about 14-15 years, snatches the cell phone from an unsuspecting person and passes it to an accomplice who walks away.

They boast how much they get for it and really it is “small money”.

I have witnessed three robberies over the past two weeks. The latest was on Saturday night. Police came but the culprits dispersed into groups, observing the police from a distance.

I am appealing to the relevant authority to please put the lights back in that area before I get robbed.

KATHY MILLET Port-of-Spain

Dr Keith Rowley was being asked by a journalist about the low voter turnout in Monday’s local government election and he became upset by his questioning and steupsed at him. What an example of statesmanship.

SHAZAM MOHAMMED via email

Addressing a news conference at Balisier House on election night, Rowley appeared to lose his cool when questioned repeatedly on the issue of his apparent disregard for those hundreds of thousands who chose not to vote, steupsing and asking this reporter: “you in politics…which party you leading?” Earlier, he declared, “Those who came out to vote, chose the PNM’s position. The programme of Local Government reform will be accelerated.” While saying he did not know the percent turnout, Newsday told him indications were that it was lower than the 2013 Local Government election. He was asked if that put a spanner in the PNM’s governance plans. “No, it does not,” he replied. “We are only allowed to count those who come out to vote.” Challenged on his disregard for the non-voters, Rowley steupsed and asked if this reporter was in politics, saying, “Which party you leading? You can only determine who has won on the basis of who has voted,” he explained. “You could analyse why others did not come out to vote and that analysis has been going on forever and will go on forever. But as long as people were not denied access to the polling stations, we could only determine the outcome by those who turned out to vote.” Asked if the PNM had failed to motivate voters, due to voter discontent on crime and food cards, Rowley replied, “We have done as much as we were able to in motivating people to come out to vote”. He said some persons may have not voted because they felt local elections are not vital or felt snubbed that they did not get something they wanted. He said a low poll in Local Government is a tradition, compared to the general election.

Pressed on the low turnout, he said, “We had free and fair elections. Persons who didn’t come out to vote were probably happy to allow the status quo to remain. There are people all over the world who would love to come out to vote to change the status quo. We in the PNM are quite happy to receive a victory and you can only determine a victory by determining who got more votes on election day.” Asked by Newsday if the PNM will do a post-mortem to analyse why most people did not turn out to vote, he replied, “Well, we are not bogged down by why they did not come out.

We are bogged down by the fact that we now have work to do to deliver on the commitments we made on the campaign trail.” “I’ll tell you one thing: We didn’t make any commitments in secret. All our commitments as to what this Government is going to do about Local Government were made in public – on live television, on radio and in newspapers,” Rowley added.

“So everybody who cares to listen and pay attention, they know what the Government is going to do and the fact that they have not intervened to stop the Government from doing that, we believe we have a mandate to proceed”. He quipped that he wanted to win all 137 seats. Rowley admitted that voters may have “a completely different expectation” as to what politicians can do for them, in contrast to the various limitations including of resources.

“So it’s not surprising that in a period of restriction as we are in now, that we should have some discontent.” He said while the Government can’t do all it would like to do, it will use its resources in the best possible way. Rowley was satisfied with the results, and was unfazed by any prospect of recounts. Later, Rowley told PNM supporters rallying outside Balisier House that the party had succeeded in this local election, declaring, “We delivered! We delivered!”

“The village is no longer responsible for raising the children and I want to challenge the D’Abadie Village Council to promote this,” he said at the commissioning of the refurbished community centre at Recreation Ground Road, D’Abadie on Thursday last.

“We are losing our interpersonal skills. Let us develop strong bonds for the future.” Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Nyan Gadsby- Dolly, under whose ministry the community centre was refurbished, said, “For decades, D’Abadie has demonstrated its emphasis on education, communal ties, cultural identity and awareness and involvement in sports and other activities.” The community centre, she noted, was equipped with an auditorium with a stage built of teak, a teaching kitchen, an administrative office, a gym, a computer room and an advanced sound and lighting system.

“On this very stage, she said, “performances will take place to bring cultural awareness and pride to D’Abadie. The auditorium will house events and other celebrations.

Sporting clubs, youth organisations, women’s groups, men’s groups and senior citizens will all have a setting for interaction and growth.” As they celebrated the re-dedication, she said, “We look forward to greater accomplishments from you.” Lopinot/Bon Air West MP, Cherie-Ann Crichlow- Cockburn who was also present and who recalled being involved in the Five Rivers Community Council advised residents to make use of the centre.

“Use it as a meeting place. Let the young talent unfold here and let us get back to the days of being our brother’s keeper,” she said.

D’Abadie Community Council president, Conrad Steele, unveiled the plaque to officially commission the auditorium as “The Cecil James Auditorium” in honour of D’Abadie-based primary school teacher, music teacher and sporting coach.

The packed auditorium was entertained by the community-based parang group and proceedings ended with four outstanding community developers being honoured.

The community centre is the second to be opened in November by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Arts.

The St Helena (Matelot) Community Centre was opened on November 22. Community centres soon to be commissioned include one in Plum Mitan and another in St Helena.

In a statement, the former San Fernando mayor said, “Taking on the task of representing your community is one which requires humility and bravery. So we all applaud you on stepping up, and for a race well run.” In offering congratulations to all the winning candidates, the minister said, “This is a passing of the torch for some and a resumption of duties for others.” Hosein said these candidates have been elected “at a critical time in the history of local government, as we undertake local government reform.” He said these candidates “will be the ushers of the new system of local governance, in which councils will have greater autonomy, expanded responsibilities and a higher level of accountability to the public.” As a start to demonstrate a new willingness, Hosein asked all candidates from all parties to organise supporters to remove posters and election materials from public places. He reiterated this call to reporters outside San Fernando Government Secondary School where he voted. Hosein said he intends “to clean up” the country and in doing so, will get rid of all dilapidated buildings

Hosein was confident of a victory for PNM candidates. He said, “I walked and campaigned in Chaguanas and I could not believe the kind of support the PNM received there. I walked in Charlieville and it was really amazing how people were coming out and wanting to meet you and wanting to be a part of the process.” Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi voted at San Fernando West Secondary School where there was a steady flow of voters. Al-Rawi, the San Fernando West MP, said he was confident democracy will go to work and the people will speak via their votes. Accompanied by his mother, former MP and minister Diane Seukeran, Al-Rawi joked that he was happy for the good weather and the good attitude with “which our people are embracing the polls today”. Al-Rawi noted that local government elections are never as large as a general election as it is a “significantly different economy from a general election-type economy”

“Once this election is over, you can expect a significant amount of work in San Fernando. On December 9, come in and see a massive return to life on the (Harris) Promenade. Come in and see life on the promenade again, as we reclaim our city,” Al-Rawi said, inviting the public to a Christmas concert that evening. Al-Rawi highlighted PNM’s Les Efforts West/La Romaine candidate, Anderson Williams, saying he has done a great deal of work. Housing Minister Randall Mitchell cast his vote at Cocoyea Government Primary School where, he said, the process was smooth

Some residents in the San Juan/ Laventille region said voting was slower than usual, but in Arima, assistant to the PNM regional coordinator of the Arima Borough, Cagney Casimire told Newsday voting progressed steadily throughout the day in the seven electoral districts. He said there was one complaint of names not appearing on the voters’ list.

Casimire was confident that the PNM, which won all the seats in Arima Borough in 2013, would win them all once again.

His prediction came through as Arima was returned to the PNM which won all seats on offer. An Arima resident told Newsday that he has stopped voting in local government elections because it makes no difference in the service offered to the people. He said the party in control of central government controls funding at the local government level. Many others at Curepe and Tacarigua shared similar views.

UNC activist in the Tunapuna/ Piarco region Senator Khadijah Ameen told Newsday that voting started off smoothly in the region, but towards mid-morning several UNC supporters began complaining about their names not appearing on the voters’ lists at some polling stations. “Our subsequent checks to the EBC hotline and the EBC website showed that the names were in fact on the list. In some cases, the people had left, so we (UNC) would have lost some votes. That was a concern for us,” she said.

This corporation also returned to the control of the ruling PNM.

Meanwhile, Ronald Aqui, campaign manager of the candidate in the Petit Bourg/Mt Lambert/ Champ Fleurs told Newsday that even though the turnout was slow at Holy Family RC Primary School, it was consistent with what he had seen over the years with local government elections.

Aqui said his campaign was focused on ensuring that the district returns to the PNM and his candidate Warren Winchester.

This according to chairman of the Board of the Point Lisas Port Development Corporation Limited (PLIPDECO), Ian Atherly following the recent discovery of a quantity of marijuana hidden in baby clothing in a shipment at Point Lisas on Monday.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Atherly said that he was notified about the find and commended Customs and Excise officers for a job well done.

He said that with such innovative means of concealing drugs, officers have to be more vigilant. He also commended Customs and Excise officers for their work.

According to police reports at about 3 pm a container arrived at the port with baby clothing and other items.

Reports said that a man presented documents to clear the container.

It was later revealed that the documents produced to Customs and Excise officers were false. Reports said that while officers were conducting a search of the container the man fled the scene. Investigations are continuing.

Cummings, 50, has been missing for the past nine days after leaving his home to go to Freeport, in search of work.

The father of two, told relatives that a man from Freeport had called him to build a wall.

The relative said Cummings left Marabella and decided to stay in Freeport instead of traveling back and forth from La Brea.

He continued to communicate via his cellphone with relatives.

However, on Sunday November 20, he called to say that the man he was working for was refusing to pay him. That was the last time relatives said they heard from him and subsequent calls to his cellphone went to voice mail.

A close female relative told Newsday that she and other relatives are praying and hoping for their loved one safe return. Anyone with information is asked to contact the La Brea Police Station at 648-7444 or the Marabella Police Station at 652-6777.