We have seen only slight changes since Raul Castro became the president of Cuba. Are you disappointed by this?
My wish is that Cuba has freedom ... and that can happen only by the president if it’s true that he loves his country and his people.
In Havana it was not a secret: Fidel and Juanita Castro had issues. What nobody even suspected was that they were big enough to make the seven-year-younger sister of the Cuban leader work undercover for the CIA, against her own brother and the Cuban Revolution. Now, from exile in Miami, Juanita tells Metro about her memories, recently published under the title “Fidel y Raul, Mis Hermanos. La Historia Secreta” (“Fidel and Raul, My Brothers. The Secret Story”).
You are one of the biggest critics of the Cuban regime. What do you say to those who still defend the Cuban model?
This is a wake-up call. They should not get confused with the strong publicity used by messed-up countries. Here I am, telling the truth as events occurred. This book is not a confrontation invitation; it’s meant to convey peace and forgiveness.
You say the Cuban regime has failed; however, different organizations recognize the country’s great health care system and literacy.
We cannot deny that there are no illiterate people. But concerning health care, they don’t have enough resources. From here in Miami, expatriate Cubans send drugs to their relatives that they cannot find there.
What exactly did you do for the CIA?
Basically it was about humanitarian help, giving a hand to those who needed help or had to escape the country. I hid a lot of them in my own house.
What differences do you find between the Obama and Bush administrations?
They are as different as day and night. We are seeing some changes. I believe Obama has good intentions. But it’s necessary that the other side (Cuba) takes a step to the transition. Democracy in the Cuban government is necessary.