Reflecting on Cuba's 67th anniversary of the triumph of the revolution,on the eve of the caravan arriving in Havana on that historic day of January 8, 1959,what captivated me most of all, was the powerful and liberating example that it represented for the struggling peoples of the world,especially those in our region,desperate to throw off the yoke of oppression that dehumanise their day- day existence.
The response of the empire was typical of a school-yard bully, who was upended by unassuming student, Cuba, which triggered a vile campaign of diplomatic isolation, of subterfuge including, assassination attempts, biological warfare, counter revolution and mercenary invasion, were all part of the 'tool kit' that was thrown at the nascent peoples revolution, with an unprecedented bribery of a so- called Alliance for Progress, an outgrowth of the US Agency for International Development(USAID),costing USD20 billion added within the Latin America and Caribbean( LAC) to wean them away from the 'corrosive' Cuban example and influence.
A disruptive influence which threatened the very foundation of the status quo in the so- called 'backyard' of the most powerful economic and military empire, in the history of mankind.
It is within this context that the illegal, financial,commercial, economic and criminal blockade of over 6decades hardened by our sister country being placed on spurious list of State Sponsor of Terrorism should be seen and which the majority of humanity's representatives within the 193- member United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) have consistently condemned for 33 consecutive years, calling for its unconditional lifting with the opposing voices being the US empire and its surrogate aparatheid partner,genocidal Israel.
Additionally the false narrative that has been peddled by empire and its cabal of media straps, including, Fox, CNN, NBC, BBC, UP, AP to name a few and regrettably been parroted by media houses in so- called third world including Jamaica that the gut-wrenching problems in the world, of poverty, hunger, crime, unemployment, underdevelopment,environmental degradation and climate change, wars etc. are not those of the 'dog-eat- dog' system of capitalism, but are engaged in an on-going scramble to find convenient excuses to embrace and justify its existence.
Our sister country on the other hand, has shown by both words and deeds what can be achieved when people are placed at the centre of its system of goverance, where health, education and social outcomes rival those of the most advanced Scandinavian countries and where life expectancy are parallel to countries with the oldest living populations.
This no small feat, given the cruelty of a blockade that denies our sister country, the right to purchase basic items needed for every day existence which are not available domestically and punishes other countries that dare to break the longest inhumane blockade known to man if they trade with Cuba.
Homeland is humanity, the iconic statement of the apostle of the Cuba revolution,is one of the indispensable pillars on which the Cuban revolution is built and the solidarity action that flows from Marti's words, shines like a beacon across the world,especially for those in need.
Finally,no reinvention of the discredited and anachronistic Monroe Doctrine by the current occupant of the White House can stop the march of history, where our sister country provides a living example that a better world is possible, where the brotherhood of man trumps pillage and banditry.
Long live the Cuban revolution.
Long live Fidel's example
We shall overcome
Jamaica Cuba Friendship Association