“Many things shall change in Cuba, but they shall change because of our efforts and despite the United States. Perhaps that empire shall crumble first.”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
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Quote
“Many things shall change in Cuba, but they shall change because of our efforts and despite the United States. Perhaps that empire shall crumble first.”
Explanation
This quote expresses Fidel Castro’s defiance toward U.S. influence, asserting that Cuba’s transformation will come from within, not through external pressure or interference. By stating that changes will happen “because of our efforts and despite the United States,” Castro emphasizes national sovereignty, revolutionary perseverance, and resistance to foreign domination. His tone reflects a long history of antagonism between Cuba and the U.S., especially following the embargo and repeated attempts to undermine the Cuban government.
The phrase “perhaps that empire shall crumble first” is a bold and prophetic statement, suggesting that the internal contradictions of the U.S. system may lead to its decline before Cuba abandons its path. Castro frames the U.S. as an empire—implying exploitation, control, and moral decay—in contrast to Cuba’s revolutionary ethos. This remark also taps into a broader anti-imperialist worldview, where small nations assert moral superiority over powerful but, in Castro’s view, unsustainable global powers.
In today’s context, the quote continues to resonate in discussions about global power dynamics, national autonomy, and ideological endurance. It raises questions about who controls the narrative of change, and whether external pressure or internal conviction leads to meaningful reform. Castro’s words serve as a declaration that genuine progress must be self-directed, and as a warning that even dominant powers can face collapse if built on unsustainable foundations or unjust practices.
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