The White Guayaberas
Today Cuban diplomacy, even to those who do not share its survival régime facing the American embargo, is without a doubt one of the most active, facilitating peace processes such as the Colombian, as well as overcoming its own conflicts, in this case with the U.S. government, even against its own fighting will, but standing by its guayaberas.
Today Cuban diplomacy, even to those who do not share its survival régime facing the American embargo, is without a doubt one of the most active, facilitating peace processes such as the Colombian, as well as overcoming its own conflicts, in this case with the U.S. government, even against its own fighting will, but standing by its guayaberas.
During the 30 years of Cuba’s war against the Spanish empire for its independence (between 1868 and 1898) Cuban soldiers on horseback used the guayabera, turning this wardrobe piece in a symbol of the island’s independentistas.
In 2012, without the formal presence of Cuba, the so-called “Summit of the Guayaberas” in Cartagena revealed what today would be Obama’s relationship with the rest of the continent. The guayaberas were present in the framework of a very well managed Cuban diplomatic symbolism.
Today Cuban diplomacy, even to those who do not share its survival régime facing the American embargo, is without a doubt one of the most active, facilitating peace processes such as the Colombian, as well as overcoming its own conflicts, in this case with the U.S. government, even against its own fighting will, but standing by its guayaberas.
Many actors, including Chavez and the Cuban government, have determined peace in Colombia, but today facing the Venezuelan government’s incapacity to maintain an active policy in international affairs, Cuba is setting the pace in the continent’s old conflicts, by means of the white guayaberas.
Today this clothing item is an emblem, in itself, of the peace efforts and effective diplomatic actions in the midst of a hot tropic, driven by the strongest of passions, paving even the way so “Macondo” is built, a path which “Gabo”, dressed in his well fitted white guayabera, would be very happy.
