2018 April 21.
Comrade Jose Ramon Balaguer
Head, International Relations Department
Central Committee
Communist Party of Cuba
Havana
MSJ Congratulates Comrade Miguel Diaz-Canel on his Election as President of Cuba and Salutes Army General Raul Castro in his Continuing Responsibility as First Secretary of the Party.
Dear Comrade Balaguer,
The Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) of Trinidad and Tobago extends fraternal greetings and solidarity to the Communist Party of Cuba at this historic juncture of the Revolution. On behalf of my Party, I extend our congratulations to Comrade Miguel Diaz-Canel on his election by the National Assembly of People’s Power to serve as President of the Council of State and of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba. The MSJ notes the historical significance of the dates of President Diaz-Canel’s election by the Cuban Parliament on April 18th and his assumption of the Presidential responsibilities on April 19th – the anniversary of the great triumph of the Cuban Revolution over US imperialism at the famous “Bay of Pigs”.
Even more significant is the transition of leadership of the Cuban Government from the “historic generation of the Moncada and Sierra Maestra” to a generation that was not yet born in 1953. This transition demonstrates in no uncertain way the strength and maturity of the Cuban Revolution led by the Communist Party of Cuba. For the past decade we have seen the preparations for the transition led by President Raul Castro who made it very clear that he would not seek a third term as President of Cuba. President Miguel has very many years’ experience in the Party and in the Government and we have full confidence in his leadership.
In the words of Comrade Raul - “the election of Díaz-Canel is no accident: due to his preparation, he is the best, and we know that due to his dedication he will have absolute success in the task entrusted to him by our supreme People’s Power body. He is not an improvised candidate; over the years he has demonstrated his work capacity, ideological solidity and commitment to the Revolution. His growth has not been the result of haste. His case has not been like others, where we made the mistake of accelerating the process.”
The composition of the National Assembly of People’s Power as well as the Council of State also reflects this transition, with many younger members; more women and people of colour. This is a manifestation of the dynamism of the Cuban Revolution.
One of the most important responsibilities of leaders is to ensure succession and continuity. This has been admirably demonstrated by Comrade Raul Castro with the passing of the baton of Presidential leadership to President Diaz-Canel, while continuing to guide the work of the Communist Party of Cuba as the First Secretary. The MSJ salutes Army General Raul Castro for his outstanding statesmanship and leadership of the Cuban Revolution following the sudden and unfortunate illness of the Commander in Chief, Fidel. President Raul had many successes – the return of the Cuban Five Heroes; the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States; the peace process in Colombia; the national consensus around the major reforms in Cuba set out in the “Guidelines”- among others.
The MSJ has absolutely no doubt that with President Diaz-Canel as leader of the Government and Army General Raul as First Secretary of the Party, the Cuban Revolution will continue along the path it has set out – “Towards a Socialism Sustainable and Prosperous”. We are aware of the many challenges that confront you in this process. We refer, in particular, to the rise of the right wing offensive against left and progressive governments and parties in Latin America and the Caribbean. This offensive has become even more dangerous with the militarist and neo-fascist Trump administration in the United States. However, we have faith in the Cuban people’s resolve to overcome all adversities and in the Party’s ability to guide the Revolution through this difficult period.
In this regard we applaud President Diaz-Canel for his excellent first Address as President of the Council of State when he said “And as for the enemies of the revolutionary process, here there is no space for a transition that ignores or destroys the work of the Revolution. We will continue moving forward without fear and without retreat; without renouncing our sovereignty, independence, development programs, and independence. To those who through ignorance or bad faith doubt our commitment, we must tell them that the Revolution continues and will continue. The world has received the wrong message that the Revolution ends with its guerrillas.”
A Luta Continua! In Unity and with Solidarity!
Yours Comradely,
Movement for Social Justice
David Abdulah
Political Leader