"We are realists...we dream the impossible" - Che "The truth must not only be the truth...it must also be told" - Fidel
Revolutionary Voices Newsletter
February 2024
Cuba: ‘Our Capacity to Resist and Win is Based on Socialism …’
By Raúl Castro Ruz on January 1, 2024 Compatriots:
We arrive at the 65th anniversary of the triumph of our socialist Revolution. Many have been the challenges we have had to face to reach this point; but it has been worth it, the work of the Revolution and its social achievements, even in the midst of difficulties, corroborate this. For Fidel has been the first thought of Cubans in this historic commemoration, especially here, in the heroic city of Santiago de Cuba that treasures his immortal remains, and also for all those who have fallen in the noble purpose of achieving and preserving the independence of the homeland. We are gathered in the same place where Fidel proclaimed on January 1, 1959, the triumph of the only Revolution that has ever existed in Cuba, initiated on October 10, 1868 by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, the Father of the Homeland, whose name this square bears.
By paradoxes of history, the then nascent Yankee empire consummated the military occupation of Cuba on January 1, 1899, therefore, its total domination over our island lasted exactly 60 years.
One of the most shameful and outrageous acts of the occupier in those days was to prevent the entry into the city of the troops of the Liberation Army commanded by Major General Calixto Garcia, without whose action there is no
doubt that the Spaniards would have defeated those arrogant, but quite inept invaders all along the line. That is why Fidel, when he was at the gates of Santiago, said in his speech on Radio Rebelde: “This time the Mambises will enter Santiago de Cuba […] The history of ’95 will not be repeated”, he concluded.
I remember that memorable night of January 1st, 1959. As many know, by decision of the Commander in Chief I had arrived hours earlier in Santiago with the mission of consolidating the surrender of the garrison of the Moncada Barracks, some 5,000 men who were in this city, in addition to the main force of the Navy, and I was, as one more, among the crowd that filled this square.
Fidel, upon seeing me, ordered me to go up to the tribune and speak to those present, I only said a few brief words that have not been preserved, but that is not important. The words of Fidel, who on that occasion warned us: “The Revolution begins now; the Revolution will not be an easy task, the Revolution will be a hard enterprise
W W W. FIR E T HISTI ME.NET
full of dangers”. Eight days later, after his triumphal entry into the capital, he insisted on this, when he said: “The joy is immense. And yet, there is still much to be done. Let us not fool ourselves into believing that everything will be easy in the future; perhaps everything will be more difficult in the future,” he said.
It was his early warning not to overestimate successes and to prepare to face the most difficult option, and life proved him right. The road we have traveled has not been easy, we have had to face the permanent and perverse aggressiveness of the enemy, which has even resorted to military invasion, terrorism and a ruthless and cruel blockade, condemned by the overwhelming majority of the nations of the world, in its failed attempt to destroy our Revolution and erase its inspiring example for other peoples, that it is possible to build a just and humane society, with equal opportunities for all. The policy of permanent hostility and blockade of the United States Government is the main cause of the difficulties of our economy. There is no doubt about this reality, even though the enemy invests millions of dollars and much effort to hide it. It is seconded by some who act against their own homeland, either out of a desire for profit or simply out of the spirit of serfs. Others allow themselves to be misled by his lies, and in a certain way unconsciously play along with him, overwhelmed by daily difficulties. With the latter we cannot lose patience, we must listen to them, explain to them until we convince them with the powerful weapon of truth, which is on our side.
This does not mean in any way that we are unaware of our shortcomings and errors, which have never been of principle. The leadership of the Revolution has been characterized, throughout these 65 years, by its transparency and self-critical spirit, by discussing with the people any insufficiency, aware that only together we will be able to eradicate them. On the unknown road of building socialism in a poor country subjected to constant aggressions, we have b e e n @FireThisTimeMovement
! " @FTT_np $ @FireThisTime