On this day 70 years ago, July 26, 1953, Fidel Castro led his followers in his first organized attack against dictator Fulgencio Batista and the Moncada military camp in the city of Santiago de Cuba.
The 26th of July Movement – a struggle against the US-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista began. The attack failed and both Fidel and Raul Castro were captured by Batista's forces. During a court appearance in the aftermath of the incident, Fidel Castro defended himself with his historic plea of History Will Absolve Me.
Although the attack failed, five and a half years later the Cuban Revolution was victorious and Cuba gained its independence and sovereignty. The price they pay is a 60-year blockade that to this day hinders Cuba's national development. Also, limitless aggression, sabotage and terrorism to weaken the support of the Cuban people and overthrow the Revolution.
Against such a superior and destructive superpower, the Cuban people, led by Fidel Castro, have stood together and strengthened the principle of solidarity to save the Revolution against anything that might threaten it. Today, history has shown us that the Cuban people are revolutionary.
Fidel :"The triumph of the Cuban revolution was the beginning of a historic event on this continent, it meant an extraordinary challenge for the Yankee empire, for its political, economic and military forces." #FidelVive
We, at the Norway-Cuba Friendship Association, congratulate and send our solidarity greetings to the Cuban people for such a significant day. We stand with the Cuban people's Revolution and fight against all possible forms of oppression.