Waiting for dinner with Juan Jacomino , Tukufu Zuberi , Dr . Col . Víctor Dreke , Mrs . Dreke , and Jackie Jones ( 10 July 2023 )
At dinner , Dreke told war stories that underscored his commitment to African independence from colonial rule and post-colonial domination . He talked about his defense of Cuba when a U . S . -backed force of Cuban exiles landed in a failed attempt to topple the Castro government . Dreke showed me a knife he took as a trophy from those invaders .
As the evening wore on , he spoke of leading the Cuban military mission in Guinea- Bissau and Cape Verde alongside Amilcar Cabral , one of the most distinguished African Independence leaders , in the fight against Portuguese forces . He didn ’ t brag . He wasn ’ t boastful . He talked with the pride of a man who helped repel an invading force at the Bay of Pigs and who sided with African freedom fighters .
By 1969 , Dreke had become head of the Political Directorate of Cuba ’ s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces . And , while he did not personally serve with the Cuban forces in Angola , Dreke spoke of his role in organizing the construction of a military airport that played a critical role in the fight against the Portuguese army and South Africa ’ s apartheid forces in southern Africa .
“ We say we have African blood in our veins , and you see this in Cuba every day , with our dance , our music , everything . It doesn ’ t matter whether your skin color is lighter or darker . There ’ s an African presence in all of us ,” Dreke once said .
Dreke – who retired from Cuba ’ s army in 1990 – was proud of his continued connection to Africa , through his involvement with the Cuba-Africa Friendship Association .
But I didn ’ t need his updated resume to know that he is still making an impact on Africa . I have met many African revolutionaries , and heads of states , who sing his praise . They speak admiringly of his efforts to help Africa . And so do I .
As we were about to leave the restaurant , Dreke rose from his seat and stood ramrod straight . At 86 he still has the bearing of an army officer . I reached out to shake his hand and he grasped mine firmly .
Then , instead of biding me farewell , Victor Dreke looked at me with glistening eyes and a big smile and uttered words that affirmed his belief in the oneness of people of African descent : “ Bienvenido a Cuba , tu patria ,” he said .
“ Welcome to Cuba , your homeland .” n
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