Friday, January 1, 2021

62nd anniversary of the Cuban Revolution - Somos Continuidad!

By Nikos Mottas.

Sixty-two years ago, on January 1, 1959, the rebel forces of the 26th of July Movement, led by revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, seized the capital Havana, forcing dictator Batista to flee. Hence started a long and tumultuous journey of rebuilding a nation based on the principles of socialism.

The Cuban Revolution, the first socialist revolution in the Americas, was one of the 20th century's most significant events. It became - and continues being - a reference point for the workers-people's movement in Latin America and the whole world.
 
The revolution in Cuba inspired the struggle of the working class, of the exploited ones in all over the world, proving in practice that the barbaric exploitative capitalist system is not invincible. Walking on the steps of Jose Marti and the other heroes of the Cuban Independence War, guided by the Marxist-Leninist theory, Fidel, Che, Raul, Camilo and their comrades proved their role as true leaders of the revolutionary masses and gave a resounding response to defeatism and compromise, by overthrowing capitalist barbarity.
 
The extraordinary social achievements in Socialist Cuba cover a vast range of sectors, from Health and Education to Culture and Sports.

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the great achievements of the Revolution in the medical sector, the country's efficient and universally free Public Health System, in sharp contrast with the commercialized health systems of the capitalist countries. Indeed, Cuba triumphed when capitalist countries, including the U.S., failed to protect their people. Additionally, the important activity of the Henry Reeve Medical Brigade, which has served in more than 38 countries since the outbreak of the pandemic, deserves more than anyone else the Nobel Peace Prize 2021.

For 62 years, Socialist Cuba selflessly supported numerous liberation movements across the world, showed immense solidarity to the people who are fighting for their social and national liberation thus proving what proletarian internationalism means.

With the power being in the hands of the people, the Cuban Revolution proved her persistence against the counterrevolutionary and imperialist attacks. The Cuban people, with pride and courage, participate in the construction of socialism, despite the genocidal commercial, economic and financial blockade imposed by the most powerful imperialist power, the United States of America. The people of Cuba, organized by their leaders, successfully repelled numerous attacks by CIA's mercenaries - such as in the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961- showing that the belief of the people of the ideals of the Revolution is stronger than the weapons of the imperialists.

Today, the support to the principles of the Cuban Revolution is compelling and important more than ever.

The Cuban Revolution is one of the milestones that can and must be utilized to defend the history and the contribution of the Communist movement, to strengthen proletarian internationalism, the struggle for socialism. 62 years since the triumph of the Revolution, the people of this heroic island need our full support and solidarity, so that they continue their progress towards the socialist way of production, based on the principles of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism. 

Long Live the Cuban Revolution!
Hasta la Victoria, Siempre!

* Nikos Mottas is the Editor-in-Chief of In Defense of Communism.