In the spring of 1990, Cuban President Fidel Castro was grappling with the likelihood of conflict with the United States — for the first time without the promise of Russian help. Backed into a corner, Castro reportedly declared that Cuba would rather become another “Numancia” than be conquered.
He was referring to the ancient Roman siege of the Spanish city of Numancia in 133 BC. But most of the city’s residents refused to surrender to their attackers, instead choosing to take their own lives inside the city walls.
“La Numancia” became a motif in defiant speeches late into Castro’s presidency, Cuba policy expert Frank Mora told CNN, as the island’s…