“The United States tyrannizes and pillages the globalized world with its political, economic, technological, and military might.”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
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Quote
“The United States tyrannizes and pillages the globalized world with its political, economic, technological, and military might.”
Explanation
This quote is a fierce denunciation of U.S. global dominance, portraying the United States not as a benevolent leader, but as a force of exploitation and coercion. Fidel Castro accuses the U.S. of using its political influence, economic control, technological superiority, and military power to impose its will on the rest of the world. The verbs “tyrannizes” and “pillages” evoke a sense of injustice and aggression, suggesting that the benefits of globalization are concentrated in the hands of the powerful at the expense of the weak.
From a historical perspective, this aligns with Castro’s long-standing critique of American imperialism, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Having lived through the Cold War and direct confrontations such as the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis, Castro viewed the United States as the chief enforcer of global capitalism and inequality. His framing of the U.S. as a hegemonic actor reflects anti-colonial and anti-imperialist ideology, widely shared among revolutionary movements in the 20th century.
In a modern context, the quote remains controversial but relevant. Critics of globalization often argue that it has been shaped by Western—especially American—interests, leading to economic dependence, cultural erosion, and political subjugation in poorer nations. Castro’s words challenge dominant narratives and provoke reflection on how power is exercised in the international order, especially when technological innovation and military supremacy are wielded not for mutual benefit, but for strategic control.
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