MEXICO:
mars GULF OF MEXICO • JAMAICA CARIBBEAN SEA VENEZUELA ATLANTIC OCEAN MINIAN REP.
UERTO RICO
GRENADA SURINAM and the Caribbean Reviewed by Murdo Ritchie Prior to the revolution in 1979, Grenada was a Caribbean island famous for its tourism and cultivation of nutmegs. However the picture postcard appearance 'golden sands and clear blue Caribbean waters' was intense poverty unemplovment of 30 pe 40 pea cent, poor reads per poor roads and inadequate housing.
The prime minister, Eric Gairy known 'Hurricane' because of the mess his rotten and corrupt left the economy in - ruled for 23 years. He dealt with any opposition through a 500 strong group of thugs called the Mongoose gang Likewise OI the American mainland, in President Anastasio Somoza, while owning most of the country's industry kep! more than half the population illiterate; per cent had malnutrition: there was e cent tale or lilan mortality, lowest life expectancy in Centra America — all with the aic the jackboots and bayonets of his National LIVIO Pretext He was backed up by the united who have substantial interests in the region. In fact they have invaded twice this century. On the second occasion, on the pretext of 'protecting American lives and pro. perty' they intervened crush the nationalist movement of Augusto Cesar Sandino who gave his name and inspiration to today's Sandinistas. Mass The US contemptuously calls the countries of Central America and the Caribbean 'banana republics' because much of the land is owned by US food multinationals who supply cheap fruit to the rich imperialists by mak labourers receive only star- sure the agricultura vation wages.
Because these countries have little or no in heavily dependent on one dustrialisation agricultural crop and whole national economies respona to me violent swings of the commodity markets. It is clear why the US have to go to great lengths support very repressive regimes.
Workers and peasants in Cuba, and Grenada have successfully fought back, nationalisin their oppressors, removing ing health care and educaSocialist Challenge Volcanoes and Hurricanes: Revolution in Central America 'VOLCANOES and Hurricanes' is the very apt title of the latest Socialist Challenge/Revolu tion pamphlet on the revolutions in Central America and the Caribbean. The pamphlet, like its title, fully captures the dynamic, violent, ex. plosive, rapid and even cleansing effect of the successful revolutions in Cuba, Nicaragua and Grenada. And it covers the revolutionary strug.
tion free to all. This is being dont despite siderable intinidation directly or indirectly from the US. Return The weakness in the pamphiet is that we de not of Somoza's Nicarasua 21 should total contro Collin ownership. 'everything trom trash collection parking meters to impo" ting Mercedes Benz' his monopoly of biood during the earthquake of several years ago deserves a mention.
On the other hand a on the innovative step of the • Ca tion of a Ministry of Mass the Grenadan Jewel Movement in order to find ways to encourage a mass participatory would have been useful. Workers However, these ander standing of the tae made for in which the 'Cuban revolution stands todav a an example of what can happen a govern ment acts in the interests of the workers rather thar private profits' The example of revolutions throughout Centra America the Carib. Socialists everyspiere. Tris socialists everywhere. pamphlet is a very convin cing case for carrying out solidarity work revolutions in Cuba Grenada and SHOW struggles building it with the EI Salvador and Guatemala. Revolutes a Huricanes, Revolutior America and the Caribbea East LonSocialist Lonpayable Hackney Book Group, 30 bulk rates available on re quest. 23 July 1962 pargo 11
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gles underway in El Salvador and Guatemala. VOLCANOES & HURRICANES