Freedom Fighters

7. Movement

"As all of you know, my brothers, Fidel and Raul Castro, have formed an armed group in Mexico in order to overthrow Batista. We are called the 26th of July Movement, named after the date of the failed attack on the Moncada Barracks three years ago, but you can call us the Movement." 

Juanita paused to let the words sink in, before continuing, her words clear and serious.

"Batista has been terrorising the country for far too long. Ever since the suppression of the protest a year ago, his secret police has been arresting thousands of innocent Cubans who have done no wrong. Instead, the Mafia's influence has grown with the building of more casinos and beach resorts that cater to tourists. American companies are colluding with Batista by buying over large swathes of agricultural land at cheap prices. Money that our fellow Cubans are earning is flowing out of the country into the hands of rich Americans and Batista and his cronies."  

Most of the people in the crowd nod their heads in agreement.

"The following are the aims of the Movement. To overthrow Batista and form a new democratic government to lead Cuba. Honest elections will be held. We desire a re-distribution of land to the peasants, nationalisation of public services, industrialisation of the country, and large scale education reform. We believe this is the way we can lead our country to greater heights. By giving power to the people, and taking it away from the hands of the few."

A few cheers rose from the crowd.

"However, in order for us to succeed, we need widespread support from the Cuban people. And that includes the exile community here in Miami. So far, the Movement has been rather successful since its founding a year ago. We are currently based in Veracruz, Mexico, where we have almost a hundred revolutionaries ready to take the fight to Cuba when the time comes. I am here today, as a representative of the Movement, to ask for donations to expand our force."

The twin carrying the duffel bag stepped forward.

"I implore you, my countrymen, to support the Movement. Help us take back our homeland. Help us free Cuba." 

A round of applause ensued and everybody in the room got to their feet. Dario did the same. Throughout her speech, he felt a swelling in his heart combined with a nostalgia for his homeland. The wounds inflicted a year ago had not healed, and now he felt that faint rumbling of dark voices from the back of his mind. 

"Wow, that was good," Camilo muttered. "Her pretty face helped though."

"Oh shut up," Dario said with a grin.

"If you have any questions, you can ask me. If you wish to donate, you can approach my comrades here, Lionel and Marco Almeida. I thank you all for listening." 

Juanita gave a wide smile to the crowd, warming Dario's heart. But still, she was a Castro? That girl back in the restaurant...

"Let us eat then!" Mrs. Carballo declared, to a round of cheers.

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As Dario munched on his fried plantain, his eyes remained fixed on Juanita. She sat in between the two imposing twins at a corner of the living room near a black coffee table which had their food on it. Many people approached them to donate whatever money they had in their wallets. As she thanked the donors, one of the Almeidas would place the donations into a large ziplock bag.

He thought she looked beautiful. The gentle smiles she wore. The pronounced cheeks. The shoulder length wavy brown hair. Not to mention those gorgeous demure brown eyes that seemed to suck him in. He could watch her all day.