This is an interesting debate to see, actually, and personally I don't think Taiwan nor Cuba are Imperalism by their respective military backers USA and China.

However, I do still think Cuba is a dictatorship propped up by use of force enabled by the Chinese backing, while Taiwan is by contrast a much more democratic nation than its backer, so I can still oppose Cuban leadership wholeheartedly.

Likewise, I did not have any strong opinions on Venezuela until Maduro overthrew the election in 2024 after an already decade long grip on power.

If China had some proxies that didn't constantly devolve into dictatorship they'd have a lot fucking less enemies, I can tell you that much.

This idea that having a military base in your country makes you a vassal state is fascinating to me.

God forbid you let your friends stay.