On a day like today, 69 years ago, on July 26, 1953, Fidel Castro and his companions led their first organized attack against dictator Fulgencio Batista and the Moncada military barracks in the city of Santiago de Cuba.
The July 26 Movement began the struggle against the US-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. The attack failed and both Fidel and Raúl Castro were captured by Batista's forces. During a court appearance after the incident, Fidel Castro defended himself with his historic plea "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 it pays today is a 60-year embargo that to this day hampers its national development. Unlimited aggression, sabotage and terrorism to weaken the support of the Cuban people and overthrow the Revolution.
Faced with such a superior and destructive superpower, the Cuban people, led by Fidel Castro, have united and strengthened the solidarity community to save the Revolution from everything that could threaten it. Today history has shown us that the Cuban people are revolutionary.
From the Norway-Cuba Friendship Association we congratulate and send our greetings of solidarity to the Cuban people for such a significant date. We are with the Revolution of the Cuban people and we fight against all possible forms of oppression.