FIDEL CASTRO never much liked Christmas. He officially banned the holiday in 1969, hoping to maximize Cuba’s sugar harvest. He loosened this restriction in December 1997–but only to coincide with the pending visit of Pope John Paul II. Now, thanks to James Cason, it’s safe to say Fidel likes Christmas even less.

Cason is America’s top diplomat in Cuba, our chief of mission at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana. He recently adorned the mission grounds with full-blown Christmas regalia, including a star, candy canes, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus–and a flashy lights display with a big “75” as it centerpiece.