Castro II wisely distributed the economic power among their unconditional followers in uniform by placing them in key management positions. Thus, the military expansion upon the civilian population reached its maximum in the history of Cuba. And like almost all the continental examples of military ineptitude in the economy and public affairs, the adverse results in both fields keep on piling upon the back of the people. The Dissolution of the Enemy But the drift of history, which always surprises, has put on the table both the sudden reestablishment of diplomatic relations with the United States and the dismantling of the embargo. Forced by unexpected circumstances, the constantly repeated menacing image of the enemy begins to vanish quickly from the popular consciousness. It was surprising to the holders of power. With stupor they realized almost nothing has been caught in over half a century by stirring a tamed people against the Yankee imperialism. It caused excitement and controversy among the people that in the new context of relationship the energetic neighbor is ready to devastate the country with goods and services highly desired by those who are surviving in their impoverished existence. From now on it is the fifth column, the internal enemy facing the military tissue thoroughly extended over the nation. Now the military fear that the population will gradually begin to pose indiscreet questions: If you do not have the Enemy anymore, what is the reason for spending disproportionate resources in the military and for having a disproportionate number of troops? 6 Why are thousands of teens called on to do military service each year? Why does Cuba have so many military units and carry out combat training maneuvers with thousands of reservists away from their families and work places? Why is it necessary that the population pays the wages or pensions, and even the unconscionable privileges for thousands of active or retired soldiers? How much does the military cost? It is nonsensical to start talking now about a " veiled aggression " in regard with an invasion that the whole world considered very beneficial: millions of tourists coming from the immense North. A Postscript to the Barracks? There are many other questions about the whole structure of barricades against and the efforts to ensure the continuity of an eternal dynasty. It does not seem to be not enough that subordinates and civilians remain as a defensive rock, like the Spanish military colony from which this country rudimentary emerged. Will it turn into an empty project losing meaning and credibility in a very short term? There are many other questions, all of them vital to our nation in need, but the undeniable fact is that the greatest threat to the totalitarian military government headed by a general through a quiet and ruinous course is not the sinking of chavismo into the Venezuelan " sea of happiness ", along with its oil supplies, but the reality of Washington lifting the mildewed legal barriers that prevented the overflow of the incalculable social, commercial, economic, and cultural forces from Cuba to the States, as well as the fermented effect that this perception is already causing among the Cuban population. Actually, it wouldn ยด t be anything new under the sun that a return to the reality promotes a radical change in our country. Because of a natural drift, proven in most parts of the continent, Cuba is destined to return to the institutional normality of a civilian government with the military returning to the barracks under rightful subordination to the civilian order. The Cuban nation needs to shake off its military morass and to be governed in favor of
131