Local Cuban-Americans React To Death Of Fidel Castro
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Fidel Castro died Friday night at the age of 90. His death sent shockwaves of surprise and celebration across the world.
Here in Pittsburgh, Cuban-Americans are looking back at an era they've struggled to forget.
A revolutionary of the socialist cause, or a cold-blooded, murderous dictator. However you view him, Fidel Castro is no more. Now what?
"I always say that Cuba is unpredictable," said Carmelo Mesa-Lago, Ph.D., a professor of Latin-American economics at the University of Pittsburgh.
Mesa-Lago sat down to talk about Cuba's future. As for quick change -- don't expect it. Castro may be dead, but he hasn't held the reins of power in Cuba for a while. His brother, Raoul, is in charge.
"Some people think because Fidel died, and this was a major pillar of the hardliners, maybe Raoul will have more freedom to move ahead," Mesa-Lago said.
However, Professor Mesa-Lago, who is from Cuba originally, says if there is change, it will likely be slow.
Fast or slow, for the Sague family in Penn Hills, Castro's death is personal.
"My uncles were killed by Fidel and his troops," Miguel Sague III said.
However, for Sague, an accomplished musician who has traveled to Cuba and performed there, Castro's revolution, to a large extent, has fallen on deaf ears -– especially the young. He hopes, however long it may take, they get a taste of democracy.
"I want us to be able to get along, whatever that means," Sague said. "I want us to be able to buy and sell goods from each other. I want us to be able to go and have tourism there. I want there to be democratic elections there. I want the Cubans to be able to protest without being afraid of what the government says."
"There are people that are trying to enjoy their family life. They are hard workers," Sague continued. "They want to share their beautiful culture, and they want to invite people to enjoy those things."
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