Presentation of the Video Exhibition "Fidel in Africa, Africa in Fidel", by H.E. Mr. Yordenis Despaigne Vera, Chargé d´Affaires of the Cuban Embassy on the occasion of the 1st Anniversary of the physical disappearance of the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.
H.E: Mr. Dehpue Zuo, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia.
All the Protocol observed
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Thank you for joining us on this special occasion when the Cuban Embassy in Liberia remembers the 1st Anniversary of the death of the undisputed and always victorious leader of the Cuban Revolution, Commander Fidel Castro Ruz, occurred on November 25 of last year.
Our Embassy, like the Cuban people and government and millions of men and women in the world, wants to pay tribute with this modest activity, to the man who fulfilled the dream of all Cubans to have a totally free, sovereign and independent homeland, reached on January 1, 1959 after almost 100 years of independence struggle that begun in 1868.
To speak about Fidel, is to speak about the man who led the Cuban people in their resistance during more than 50 years against the imperialist pretensions to destroy the Cuban Revolution, through all kinds of aggressions including armed, biological, psychological aggressions, organized and financed by successive governments of U.S.A. It is talking about the man who survived more than 600 assassination attempts organized mostly by the CIA.
Speaking of Fidel, is talking about the man who dedicated his whole life to fight against injustice, inequality, war and poverty in the world, supporting just causes at all times and in any tribune.
For the Cuban people and government, the death of Fidel left a deep wound in the hearts of all those who admire him, and one year after his death the wound is already open and will never fully heal. And that is because thanks to the wise leadership of Fidel, Cuba today is recognized for its relevant advances in all spheres of life in the country, especially in the fields of medicine, education, biotechnology, science and sports.
It would be impossible to say here today the countless reasons that Cubans have to always remember Fidel and to fight until the last drop of blood to maintain the conquests of the Revolution and the legacy of his historic leader.
That is why, when the President of Nicaragua at the start of his speech on the occasion of the posthumous tribute to Commander Fidel in Havana asked, where is Fidel? Millions of voices in unison responded in chorus: Here. "I am Fidel", slogan that became an authentic sign of commitment of the Cubans with Fidel´s legacy, especially the Cuban youth. Those who always believed that once Fidel died, the Cuban Revolution would disappear were wrong because in the Cuban people there are millions of women and men who like him are willing to give until the last breath to defend the Revolution until the last consequences if it is necessary.
We have to remember also, that only few days after his death millions of Cubans signed a commitment to maintain the gains achieved by the Cuban Revolution and the legacy of his undefeated Commander.
As we all know, Fidel maintained a special relationship and feelings of friendship and solidarity towards the African peoples and nations, which had its supreme expression in the participation of Cuban troops in the struggles against racial oppression in Africa. It was precisely to an African nation where in 1963 a Cuban medical brigade arrived permanently for the first time, beginning the long and satisfactory history of the Cuban International Medical Collaboration.
Africa has also historically supported the Cuban Revolution, particularly in our fight against the unjust and criminal blockade imposed by the United States against our people that is still in force and has lasted for more than 50 years. Also from Africa we received countless expressions of respect, admiration and solidarity on occasion of Fidel's death, and several African leaders traveled to Cuba to accompany our people in their last goodbye to the Commander in Chief.
I would like to take this opportunity to express once again our deepest gratitude to the government of Liberia, to the members of the diplomatic corps, to the members of the Association of Friendship with Cuba and to other Liberian friends for their expressions of solidarity and support that we received on the occasion of the death of Commander Fidel last year.
For all those reasons, and because this year were celebrated the 30th and 35th anniversaries of Fidel's visits to African nations, the Cuban Embassy in Liberia decided to pay tribute to the historic relationship between Africa and Fidel, by presenting a video exhibition, which includes images of the presence of the Cuban leader in this continent. You will also be able to appreciate the national commotion that took place in Cuba for his death and during the days of tributes and mourning organized to say goodbye to him.
Without more preambles, I invite you to enjoy the presentation of the video exhibition, entitled "Fidel in Africa, Africa in Fidel".
Thank you so much!