Back in our early days in the U.S., my parents used to tell us not to speak so loud. They felt that Americans would find it strange if all Cubans spoke like Ricky Ricardo and moved their hands.
So my dad would always say “suavecito” (Cuban slang for softly) whenever we went out in public and started talking.
My mother’s favorite phrase was “recuerda que esto no es Cuba” – “remember that this is not Cuba.”
One time, my brother and I were having a conversation at school. My friend saw and wondered what we were arguing about. Nothing, we said; we just talk that way. Again, can you say “Ricky Ricardo”?
On a more serious note, it does look as if noise levels in Cuba may be about to set off a diplomatic war between the U.S. and the island. This is the latest we know about this “noisy” incident from our friends at PanAm Post:
The United States expelled two Cuban diplomats from its embassy in Washington D.C. after several American diplomats in Havana were left with damaged hearing due to what has been called a “covert sonic device.”Details of the event, which took place back in May, had been kept under wraps by US State Department officials until recently.Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the US sent home the two Cuban officials in response to an investigation that found American diplomats suffered “a variety of physical symptoms.” She said that they could not go into details about the health of US citizens due to department policy, but that no one’s lives were at risk as a result of the incident that occurred.The FBI is also reportedly participating in an ongoing investigation regarding the incident, which some officials have pointed to as evidence of Cuba’s poor relationship with the United States, and the island’s inability to develop strong international relationships.Nauert said that the Trump administration “takes these incidents very seriously” because the Cuban government “has the responsibility to protect” the diplomatic personnel of the United States occupying Cuban territory, “according to the Geneva Convention.”According to Republican Florida Senator Marco Rubio, the Cuban government has harassed the United States and its personnel in Havana for decades.“This did not stop with the appeasement of President Barack Obama,” he said this week.“Personal injury to US officials shows how far the (Raúl) Castro regime is willing to go, and is a clear violation of international standards .”
Cuba violating international standards? Really?
Was President Obama expecting that a display of weakness, or demanding nothing from a corrupt regime, would lead Cuba to play by international rules? From the Bay of Pigs to Korea in the 1990s to Cuba now, the Democrats never learn the lessons of history. Bullies stop being bullies not because you are nice to them.
This is a story that will get worse, especially with President Trump, who believes that the Cuba deal was too much about Mr. Obama’s résumé and not enough about promoting U.S. interests.
Yes, something happened at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, and this time, it had nothing to do with Cubans being too loud.
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.
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