Life — January 19, 1928 — page 26: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Life magazine page presents caricatures of Cuba's government officials under President General Machado. The artist uses exaggerated facial features—grotesque expressions, distorted proportions, and crude line work—to mock and demean each cabinet member, including the Secretary of State, Treasury, Justice, Agriculture, War and Navy, Public Works, Interior, Public Instruction, and Communications. The satire's intent appears to be ridiculing the competence and character of Machado's administration. By reducing these officials to ugly, foolish-looking caricatures, the cartoonist suggests they are unfit for office. This reflects American attitudes toward Caribbean governments of the era, often depicted with racial and ethnic mockery. The visual dehumanization served propaganda purposes, justifying American interventionism or dismissal of Cuban sovereignty.