Castro says détente won’t change Cuba

HAVANA – Cuban President Raul Castro sent a blunt message to Washington Saturday as the White House works to reverse a half-century of hostility between the U.S. and Cuba: Don’t expect détente to do away with the communist system.

Castro’s speech to Cuba’s National Assembly was a sharp counterpoint to the message U.S. President Barack Obama gave in his year-end news conference the day before. Obama reiterated that by engaging directly with the Cuban people, Americans are more likely to encourage reform in Cuba’s one-party system and centrally planned economy.

“We must not expect that in order for relations with the United States to improve, Cuba will abandon the ideas that it has struggled for,” Castro said.

Also appearing before parliament, shaking their fists in victory, were three convicted spies just released from long U.S. prison terms. The last imprisoned members of the “Cuban Five” spy ring were freed this week in a sweeping deal that included American contractor Alan Gross and a Cuban who had spied for the U.S., both released from their cells in Cuba as a first step toward the restoration of full diplomatic ties and a loosening of U.S. trade and travel restrictions.

While the 83-year-old Castro spoke in Havana, other Cubans of his generation were leading a protest in Miami against plans to normalize relations with the Castro government. About 200 people showed up, most of them older Cuban exiles.

“The mentality is, ‘Hey, we’re going to be able to buy Cuban cigars and rum.’ Well, it’s not a happy thing for us,” said Armando Merino, 68, who came to the U.S. at age 14. “I’m here because for the Cuban people, my family in Cuba, they are not able to protest.”

The Cuban-American speakers included Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a former Florida congressman, and state Sen. Anitere Flores. Both argued that Obama’s gestures would do nothing to improve the prospects of a democratic Cuba.

“The worst infamy is the pretext he used: He says it’s to help the Cuban people,” Diaz Balart said to chuckles from the audience.

Flores, 38, one of the youngest Cuban-American politicians in a state or federal office, rejected what some recent polls have shown: that while many older Cubans stand firm in their opposition to ending the embargo, younger generations are increasingly in favor of loosening sanctions.

Castro expressed gratitude to Obama during his speech, calling it a “just decision” to release the men who spied on anti-Castro exile groups in South Florida in the 1990s and have long been regarded as heroes in Cuba. Seated behind the three and their families was Elian Gonzalez, the young Cuban rafter at the center of a bitter custody battle in 2000 between relatives in Miami and his father in Cuba.

The president closed with a shout of “Viva Fidel!” in reference to his older brother, who has not been seen nor heard from since the historic development was announced on Wednesday, provoking speculation about his health.

Castro confirmed he would attend the Summit of Americas in Panama in April, where he is expected to have further discussions with Obama.

Late Friday, Cuban state television showed four of the Cuban Five celebrating their reunion by singing together during a private party in Havana.

Their release angered the protesters in Miami. Two women held up a sign saying “Obama’s message to Castro: Imprison Americans and get 3 spies and an embassy.”