HUGO CHAVEZ INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR PEACE, FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY
WE GREET ALL CUBANS ON 66TH ANNIVERSARY OF REVOLUTION
January 1st 1959 marked the beginning of a new dawn for Cuba. U.S backed General Fulgencio Baptista who came to power in a coup d’état on March 10th, 1952 was overthrown.
The Cuban revolution of 1959 had it origin from the July 26th Movement, when patriotic sons and daughters of Cuba, led by El-commandant Fidel Castro Ruz attacked the dictator Baptista’s military at the Moncada barracks in Santiago de Cuba on 26th July, 1953. The mission failed to achieve its goal, Fidel Castro was captured and condemned to 15 years imprisonment, but was released on May 13th, 1955 under a general amnesty after spending 2 years in prison. Fidel defended his action as –he fought in order to liberate Cuba from the painful leadership of the dictator Baptista, and that only history will absolve him.
In 1956, Fidel and some of his revolutionary lieutenants fled to Mexico, where he met Argentina born Ernesto Che Guevara, both of whom planned their returned to Cuba in 1956 with 82 men and women to complete their unfinished mission. With 12 survivors in the 1959 Cuban revolution, only former President and Leader of the Cuban Communist Party-El-commandant Raul Castro is still very alive today to tell the complete story about the revolution the launched in 1959.
Until 1959, Cuba was a satellite state under United States imperialism, and which was used to serve also as provider of sugar, cigar and cattle for the benefit of a few large companies and land owners. It was run by the dictator Baptista, and its impoverished population was a reservoir of cheap labour. Due to its proximity to the U.S it was served also as a playground for wealthy Americans who visited the island for its casinos and mafia owned brothels.
Cuba and friends of the Caribbean Island nation around the world this year mark the 66th anniversary of the collapse of the Baptista dictatorship and triumph of the Cuban revolution, on 1st January, 1959. On this auspicious occasion therefore, the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS) wishes to join the entire people of Cuba celebrate this historic day and the success of the action that shook the world 66 years ago. We wish the Cuban people also a peaceful, happy and prosperous New Year.
This year is the eight anniversary of the Cuban revolution without the physical presence of Fidel Castro, who died on 25 November, 2016, at the age of 90. Castro will be remembered for his wise and role-model leadership to Cuba and the world at large. Around the world today, Africa in particular, millions celebrate the life of Castro. While many still mourn him, including the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity.
The 1959 Revolution is a genuine movement, which set the foundation for the construction of socialism in Cuba. The revolution also, represents a shining milestone in modern world history and an enduring inspiration to the struggling peoples of the world.
Despite the spurious, cruel and unjust blockade, the heinous attacks and demonization in the corporate media, the policy of collective punishment and interference by the United States, Cuba has managed to achieve major advancements, thanks to the dawn of the January 1, 1959 revolution. An analysis of the gains of the Cuban revolution as compared to the quality of life of the Cuban people since 66 years ago is imperative. It is by comparing Cuban society before 1959 and present day Cuba that one can see the benefits that the revolution has brought to the people.
The success story of the achievements of the Cuban revolution in the social welfare, science, education, health, sports and culture, are just happening in a hostile environment encompassed by the impacts of a criminal blockade and constant subversion by the United States. These are just living proofs of what the Cuban revolution set to achieve. At the same time, the international humanitarian solidarity Cuba is rendering to the suffering peoples of Africa and the entire world demonstrates that although Cuba has no economic surpluses it does have an abundance of humanism and selflessness.
The recent allegation by the U. S. that Cuba is a sponsor of terrorism is a tailored lie and baseless allegation that is being peddled to mislead international opinion against the Caribbean nation. This allegation is not only criminal by its contents, it is condemnable and rejected nationally, regionally and internationally. It amounts to nothing but an extension of the United States unilateral policy of financial, economic and commercial blockade, the painful and heinous consequences from which the Cuban people and the world continue to suffer.
The Cuban people have suffered from more than half a century US blockade, illegal occupation of part of Cuban territory of the Guantanamo Bay and other hostile policies initiated by Washington. The world rejects any US attempts to destabilize Cuba, which is committed to its principles, rules and traditions and which is in compliance with international law, conventions and protocols.
We call upon the international community to strongly condemn this malicious attack, which is only a replica of Nazis propaganda. It is peace that Cuba and the Cuban people need, not war; prosperity, not retrogression. In many instances, Cuba has declared finally and decisively to be left alone to shape its own destiny; that it rejects orthodox doctrine, and will not be dictated by imperialist doctrine.
By this statement therefore, the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity make this appeal to the politicians in the United States, asking them to see reason, to rise above greed and hatred; to work towards easing the blockade against the Cuban people, and to repair the U. S. tainted policy towards its neighbours. This would be good for the two countries.
Long live Africa-Cuban Solidarity!
Long live Cuba-African Solidarity!!
Signed:
Alimamy Bakarr Sankoh
International Executive Director and President of the Governing Council of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity