The propaganda war in Cuba fizzles out | Forensic Files

the opening to Cuba has been coming for a while and here in Havana there was literally a sign relations were
improving literally a sign it started as a provocation in 2006 the US government
put up a scrolling electronic news ticker on top of its building where diplomats work in Havana it's not an
embassy it's called the US interest section in 5- foot letters it printed news reports of Cuban defectors and even
jokes about communism the Cuban government responded by erecting an iron curtain
nearly 50 giant flag poles directly in front of the building blocking the sign then suddenly the propaganda war ended
in 2009 about the time the Obama Administration was making travel to Cuba somewhat easier the state department
quietly took the sign off the building and the Cubans dropped the flags no one could have known at the time but it was
the beginning of something big there remains a dispute about whose Vision was being obscured this sign says that the
polls were raised to block the eyes of the American Empire but this week it seems less important now that both sides
can see

When America put signs up ridiculing communism in Cuba, the island's government fought back to block them from sight. Now, as Scott Pelley reports, the old propaganda battles seems to no longer matter.

Brief Summary

The episode covers the history of US-Cuba relations through symbolic actions like the news ticker and flag poles.

Key points

The Propaganda War Ends. In 2009, the US quietly removed a provocative sign in Havana, signaling a shift in relations.

Episode highlights

The Propaganda War EndsIn 2009, the US quietly removed a provocative sign in Havana, signaling a shift in relations.“It was the beginning of something big.”1:00Dec 19, 2014

Episode quotes

It was the beginning of something big.

Reflecting on the significance of the sign's removal.

1:00WatchDec 19, 2014

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