Cuba has endured governmental corruption for decades, and on Jan. 1, the Cuban people celebrated the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s reign.

How did it all begin you may be wondering? In the 1950s Castro became a heroic figure by leading a revolution against dictator Fulgencio Batista. The roots of the revolution stemmed from the massive corruption of the Batista regime.

Under Batista, companies based in the United States owned a majority of Cuba’s farmland and casinos. After the prohibition of alcohol in the U.S. during the 1920s, Cuba became an inviting place for American organized crime syndicates. Corruption and prostitution invaded Cuba’s economy.

Whether an act of heroism or egotism, Castro managed to take over the leadership of Cuba and stay in power for 50 years. The corruption may now involve the Communist government itself, although for some, it is providing equality.

Socialism, which is hard to understand from a capitalist perspective, works to create an equitable society. Theoretically, no human being can be at the top or bottom of the economic ladder. The Cuban people are given land, labor and universal healthcare – something we lack in our nation.

Following the revolution, the U.S. pointed the deadly “you-are-to-blame” finger at Castro in the 1960s during John F. Kennedy’s presidency. Cuba was characterized as the enemy of America.

All of the blame for Cuba’s problems cannot be laid on Castro. The 1962 American embargo on Cuba is largely to blame for the island’s rampant poverty.

The embargo ended almost all U.S. ties with Cuba, forcing the country into strong ties with the Soviet Union. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, Cuba has remained isolated.

Complete alienation was the sole purpose of the embargo. It prohibits U.S. citizens, corporations and subsidiaries from trading and doing business with Cuba. This resulted in the lack of resources, imported goods and economic wealth.

The U.S. is currently seeking to normalize relations with Cuba, as President Barack Obama has mentioned in recent interviews. While Obama now seems willing to negotiate with our island neighbor 90 miles off the coast of Florida, future relations between the two nations are unclear at this point.

Many people would like to see democratic reforms in Cuba before the U.S. sits down at the table with its adversary. Calling for a democratic government in Cuba does not seem like the answer for Cuba. Rather, it is a propaganda tool and bargaining chip for the U.S.

Castro has managed to stay a step ahead of the U.S. government and the CIA, in spite of their attempts to change the power structure and government systems in Cuba. In the past couple of years he handed over much of his power to his brother Raul Castro. He has stated in the past that he hopes the revolutionary government will control the island for the next thousand years.

In an interview with USINFO, the State Department’s information service, former U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said the solution for Cuba is a “democratic government.” He believes lifting the embargo will not solve the economic status of Cuba while it is ruled by a communist government. He said “changing the system will.”

Gutierrez, an economic soldier for the U.S., would say that. But what do the Cuban people really want? It is typical for the U.S. to meddle in the affairs of other nations with the goal of fostering democracy in other countries. However, we need to question our own government’s views on such a sacred term.

A democracy is defined in the dictionary as a “government held by the people in a free electoral system.” However, President George W. Bush managed to get two terms in office (having the lowest popular vote), declare war and leave the country in chaos.

Castro’s 50th year in power shows he has control, but he follows the socialist ideals – power for the people and by the people in an equal, classless society where the socioeconomic status is shared equally amongst its citizens. To many outside the American framework, these are core democratic principles.

The people in Cuba should have a say as to what governmental power should take over, whether another Castro or a “democratic liberator.”

Ties with Cuba need to change gears, and President Barack Obama seems like the man to do it. The attempt to spread American-style capitalism and democracy has not been the solution. For the U.S. it has mainly led to an endless series of wars.

Vanessa Guerrero can be reached at [email protected]