Nicosia, Cyprus, July 28, 2026. The Cypriot newspaper “Haravgi” featured on its front page and central pages this Tuesday, July 28, the historical legacy of the 73rd anniversary of the assault on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks on July 26, 1953, which became the National Rebellion Day in Cuba. The article reproduces an overview of the historical event commemorated in a political ceremony held last July 23 at the Cuban Embassy in Nicosia, attended by diplomats, representatives of political forces and friendly associations, supporters of Cuba, and Cubans residing in Cyprus, in a sincere tribute to the Moncada action.
Haravgi reviews the speech of MP and member of the Secretariat and Political Bureau of the AKEL Party, Aristos Damianou, in tribute to the action of July 26, 1953, and in shared homage to the centenary of the birth of the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.
The historic legacy of Moncada was commemorated in Nicosia — the Cuban Embassy and AKEL paid tribute to the 73rd anniversary of July 26.
Almost seven decades after the assault on the Moncada barracks, the event that opened the way to the Cuban Revolution remains a reference point for peoples fighting tyranny, imperialism, and all forms of oppression. This message was precisely conveyed in Nicosia during the event organized by the Cuban Embassy in Cyprus for the 73rd anniversary of the historic July 26, 1953 assault, attended by ambassadors, diplomats, political party representatives, and representatives of the Popular Movement of Cyprus.
This year's event also coincided with the centenary of the birth of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, leader of the group of young revolutionaries who dared to confront the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, knowing that the chances of success were minimal. Although the assault on the Moncada ended in military failure, it constituted the starting point of the revolutionary trajectory that, six years later, on January 1, 1959, would culminate in the overthrow of the regime and the victory of the Cuban Revolution.
On behalf of AKEL, Aristos Damianou, member of the Secretariat and Political Bureau of the Central Committee and deputy, was present and addressed a greeting. In his speech, he described July 26 as "a symbol of resistance against tyranny and a symbol of faith in the strength of a people to determine its own destiny", stressing that, despite the military failure of the assault, "history began to change". He recalled that the persecutions, tortures, and executions that followed did not manage to break the revolutionary ideal; on the contrary, they strengthened the determination of the Cuban people, ultimately leading to victory.
Damianou also mentioned Cuba's generous internationalist contribution, emphasizing that despite the major difficulties it faces, the country continued to support needy populations, whether by sending doctors and health personnel to areas affected by wars, natural disasters, and epidemics or through its historic contribution to promoting international solidarity.
In addition, he reaffirmed AKEL's firm position in favor of the immediate, full, and unconditional lifting of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba, stressing that no country has the right to try to bend a people through economic suffocation. He also noted that AKEL's relations with Cuba are not based solely on the friendship between the two peoples but also on shared values of peace, social justice, anti-imperialism, solidarity, and the fight against occupation and all forms of oppression.
The AKEL MP also condemned the inclusion of Cuba on the so-called U.S. list of 'State Sponsors of Terrorism', calling it an unfair and unfounded decision. As he pointed out, this specific fact deprives the country of significant opportunities for international economic cooperation and access to the international financial system, while he reiterated the need to respect international law, state sovereignty, and the right of each people to freely choose their political and economic system.
The Cuban Embassy and AKEL paid tribute to the 73rd anniversary of July 26.
The event concluded with the screening of the audiovisual documentary 'Fidel,' produced by the eponymous center in Havana and specially subtitled in Greek for the occasion.
Cuban Embassy in Cyprus