Vienna, January 28. On the occasion of the 173rd anniversary of the birth of José Martí Pérez, Cuba's National Hero, a moving tribute was held in this capital, attended by the Cuban Ambassador to Austria, members of the Cuban Embassy, representatives of the Austria-Cuba Friendship Association, friends of Cuba, and members of the accredited diplomatic corps.
The keynote address was given by Reinier Travieso Guerra, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy, who highlighted the profound relevance of Martí's thinking to the current challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean.
In his speech, the Cuban diplomat reflected on how Martí's message of unity is now more than ever an essential compass in the face of renewed imperialist aggression. In a context of serious escalation, Travieso Guerra explained how the Apostle's words about the danger that the United States represents to the independence of the peoples of America remain relevant, as has already been demonstrated in the aggression against Venezuela and the threats made against Cuba.
“That doctrine, which Martí denounced as the ambition to turn Latin America into the ‘backyard’ of a power, has returned with force from Washington. It is not a relic of the 19th century; it is the roadmap for the empire's foreign policy in the 21st century,” he added.
Likewise, the Cuban Consul in Vienna warned of the continuous and growing threats from the US government against Cuba, including the intensified economic, commercial, and financial blockade, the energy war, and destabilization campaigns. In the face of this offensive, Travieso Guerra reiterated that the response must be, as Martí taught, unwavering unity and firmness in the defense of sovereignty and self-determination.
Every year, the Cuban Embassy in Austria organizes a tribute to the Apostle, which takes place in the square dedicated to Latin American heroes in the Danube Park. The 2026 celebration had the additional motivation of the centenary of the birth of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, and the participants agreed that honoring the memory of both heroes means acting consistently in defense of peace and sovereignty for all the peoples of Our America.
(EmbaCubaAustria)