Castro's Latin American Legacy

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Feb. 21, 2008 — -- "A life of contradiction" was just one of the numerous headlines on Fidel Castro's resignation early Tuesday morning.

The announcement prompted a deluge of soul-searching analysis in the Brazilian press. This in itself is not surprising — both are Latin American countries that share common themes in terms of their history and culture and there is a close, mutual affection between the two that goes beyond the apparent political formalities.

To understand why, look at Brazil's dalliance with dictatorship. In 1985 the country emerged from the clutches of a brutal, right-wing military dictatorship.

During those heavy years — nicknamed "Anos de Chumbo" (Years of Lead) — the Brazilian intellectual classes took a turn to the left and looked to Cuba for inspiration, in particular Castro's overthrow of the brutal, right-wing Batista regime in 1959.

For many of these intellectuals, Castro's image provided them with a source of inspiration. Faced with all the harsh restrictions that were imposed by the military, a strong bond grew between the Brazilian resistance and the Cuban leader. The support, more ideological than material, was sufficiently organized for Cuba to even provide the resistance with training in armed guerilla tactics.

Brazil's left-wing president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, back then a vocal member of the resistance, was thrown in prison for his political activities during the Years of Lead. He praised the outgoing leader in warm, highly complimentary tones.

"The great myth continues," he told reporters during a tour of a gas plant. "He is the only living myth in the history of humanity and I believe he built that image with great competence, character and willpower."

The praise was in marked difference from the official Brazilian diplomatic response to the announcement that soberly stated that Brazil would maintain its current relations with Cuba and would progress with its ongoing economic agreements.