US Presidency
1961

The Cuban people have not yet spoken their final piece. And I have no doubt that they and their Revolutionary Council, led by Dr. Cardona- and members of the families of the Revolutionary Council, I am informed by the Doctor yesterday, are involved themselves in the Islands -will continue to speak up for a free and independent Cuba. Meanwhile we will not accept Mr. Castro's attempts to blame this nation for the hatred which his onetime supporters now regard his repression. But there are from this sobering episode useful lessons for us all to learn. Some may be still obscure, and await further information. Some are clear today. First, it is clear that the forces of communism are not to be underestimated, in Cuba or anywhere else in the world. The advantages of a police state its use of mass terror and arrests to prevent the spread of free dissent can not be overlooked by those who expect the fall of every fanatic tyrant.