60th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution
We defend the right of the Cuban people to choose its future
The Cyprus-Cuba Friendship Association salutes the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution and expresses its solidarity with the people and leadership of Cuba. The Revolution marked the overthrow of Batista's dictatorial regime and the beginning of socialist construction in Cuba, the first socialist state in the Western hemisphere.
The Revolution eradicated illiteracy and secured free education at all levels. It created a public, free and high-quality health system, resulting, among other things, in the virtual elimination of child and maternal mortality. Medicine and modern medical infrastructures have been developed that are available to the people and which are not in the hands of multinationals. Cuba tops the table of the Caribbean countries as regards life expectancy, education, health, and the management of natural disasters. Cuba now compares favourably with developed Western nations. Today, half of Cuba's state budget is channeled into education, health and social security. The World Economic Forum ranks Cuba in 23rd place worldwide in terms of gender equality, given that more than half of parliamentary deputies are women. Crime, racism and homelessness are unknown words in Cuban society.
At the same time, Cuba stands out for the thousands of humanitarian, medical and educational missions of volunteer Cubans in dozens of countries in every corner of the world where peoples are suffering because of disasters, destitution and poverty.
These are just some of the achievements of the Revolution, which are being defended by the Cuban people itself, the protagonist of the Revolution and socialist construction.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary, it is worth recalling that with the prevalence of the Cuban Revolution in 1959 and the establishment of Cyprus Independence in 1960, the foundations were laid for the development of the bonds of friendship and solidarity between our peoples, which date back to the era of the Non-Aligned Movement, of which Cyprus and Cuba, under the leadership of Makarios and Fidel respectively, were both founding members. Indeed, Cyprus, on the orders issued by President Makarios, was the first country to send a ship to Cuba, breaking the naval blockade imposed by the United States. In the years that followed, Cuba was a consistent supporter of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus, while Cyprus has always supported the struggle of the Cuban people to be left free to march on the path it has chosen for its country.
The Cyprus-Cuba Friendship Association will continue to stand on the side of Cuba and its people in the struggle for the:
- Termination of the US blockade against Cuba and for compensation to be rendered to Cuba for the losses it has sustained, as demanded by the resolutions of the UN General Assembly. More specifically, we demand from the European governments that they oppose the extra-territorial effects of the American blockade, through the imposition of sanctions by the US on any person or company doing business with Cuba.
- Closure of the Guantánamo base which is located in territory illegally occupied by the US and which is being used as a prison and centre of torture, and the return of this territory to Cuba.
- Termination of every attempt by the US, especially after the intensification of the Trump government’s aggression against Cuba, to undermine the Revolution and Cuban sovereignty through the funding of counter-revolutionary groups and operations.
60 years onwards, Cuba is continuing on the same path as the first generation of the Revolution; the path of Fidel, Che and Raul. Sixty years onwards, History has and is vindicating the Cuban Revolution and all those who are struggling for freedom, peace and social justice, insisting "Venceremos!”
28.12.2018
Cyprus-Cuba Friendship Association