The 1970s Past Members Association of the People’s National Party Youth Organization, today salute the Cuban People, the Cuban Government and the Cuban Communist Party on the occasion of the 65th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, an inspiration and shining example to national liberation movements and freedom loving people throughout the world.
In recounting some of these glorious 65 years, as youths during the 1960s and 1970s;
We remember the triumph of the Cuban People through their revolution on the 1st January 1959, leading to the removal of the cruel and oppressive dictator, General Fulgencio Batista.
We remember the first setback of US Imperialism, with the defeat of the US/CIA financed and organized invasion at Playa Giron (also known as the Bay of Pigs), a major, but failed attempt to set back the Revolution.
We remember the establishment of diplomatic relations between Jamaica and the Republic of Cuba by the Michael Manley led PNP Government, in December 1972, 61 years ago.
We remember the Jamaica Cuba Youth Construction Programme also referred to as the Brigadista Programme, one which provided the opportunity for hundreds of young Jamaicans to learn the theory and the practical of construction skills.
We remember the assistance of Cuban doctors to support the inadequate Jamaican health care system, a programme still in continuation, extended and expanded several times through successive government to government collaboration agreements.
We remember the four gifted Cuban Schools, the Jose Marti Technical High School, the Garvey Maceo Comprehensive, the G.C Foster College of Physical Education & Sport and the Fidel Castro Campus of the Anchovy High School.
We remember the hundreds of young Jamaicans who went to Cuba on sports scholarships, most traveling overseas for the very first time.
We remember the hundreds of Jamaicans who went on five to seven year university courses, fully paid for by the Cuban people. These were mainly in medicine, dentistry and engineering, but also in agronomy, linguistics, architecture and economics. Today, we are proud that these Cuban trained Jamaican doctors are a major sustaining plank, both in the public health sector and in private health care.
We remember the timely and critical intervention of Cuban troops in Angola and the subsequent defeat of the US & Israeli supported South African Army, in Cuito Cuanavale, 1988.This was a major game changing military and psychological setback for the Racist Apartheid South African Government.
We cannot end our tributes on the occasion of the Cuban Revolution, without saluting and recognizing the extraordinary role of that Great Cuban and Anti-Imperialist Leader, Commander in Chief, Fidel Castro Ruz, for his outstanding contribution in improving the lives of many millions of people throughout the world.
We therefore remember, and the vast majority of our generation in particular, will always be grateful for the generous the support of the Cuban people during Jamaica’s most transformation period in Jamaica, the years between 1972 and 1980, a period significantly empowering black Jamaicans, our workers, women, students, farmers, and families, particularly those not owning a home.