We talked about great personalities like Fidel, Che, Raul, Camilo. Their personalities frequently overshadow the Revolution of the Cuban people and the resistance which lasts for so many years. Something that imperialism feeds with illusions is (the perception) that the biological death of Fidel and Revolution's leaders will result to her collapse. How do you comment?
"It is exactly what they did for the people of Cuba that makes them so great revolutionaries. It is that they formated social consciousness also through their own personal example. For example my father set some basic points of reference of the Revolution. One thing he taught us is when we do not understand something, we have the tast to demand an explanation. Not to be afraid of saying what we think. Always with respect and earning the right to be heard. This is very important. Our young people have this educational method. We have full consciousness of the power we have as people. Because it is something more internal, many people do not know that is like that in Cuba.
It
is difficult to understand the level of Cuban people's consciousness.
[…] There is a large popular critique and our people have a big
powers. They hear us. This is the important. The Revolution will
endure after the biological absence of great people who led our
people. We endured and resisted for many years, being so close to the
largest imperialist center.
This
didn't happen due to a handful of revolutionaries. It happened
because of the developed social consciousness of our people. The
people decided and knows what they want. I wouldn't like to be in the
position of the one who will lead the people after the historic
leadership of the Revolution, because of the obvious comparison with
Fidel. It will be difficult, but the important is the will power of
the people and the dedication by the CP of Cuba (PCC)."
Regarding
the changes in Cuba's socialist system, Aleida Guevara said:
"There
has been much criticism. The PCC prepared a series of issues. These
issues were analysed by the people in every workplace, in schools,
universities, everywhere. The people expressed their view. The
National Assembly of People's Power recently adopted the final
document with over 1,800 modifications made by the Cuban people. The
changes in the first text were made through the popular participatory
democracy and that is what the Parliament verified. We are very
critical as a people. We have the political education to do something
like that. Therefore, what will happen is a decision taken by the
people."
In
the question about the U.S policy towards Cuba and how she evaluates
Trump's announcements on Cuba, Dr. Guevara mentioned the following:
"Obama
“varnished” a bit the aggressiveness of the USA, but the worst
sanctions of Washington against our people were set during Obama's
period. He was simply a clever politician and presented himself as
someone who wanted “changes”. In tactics, not in strategy.
Obama's aim remained the overthrow of the Revolution. The same policy
continues and Trump is simply rougher. He proved that when he made
the statements alongside the US-funded anti-Cuban mafia of Miami.
Alongside terrorists and murderers. And on that point I must say that
not all Cubans living in the USA are enemies of our people, like the
members of this reactionary and terrorist mafia. The aim of the USA
were always the same against our people. Trump simply returned to the
face of the previous US Presidents. We aren't worried. Everyone knows
that our people kneels only to pay tribute to the heroes of
independence and Revolution. Our struggle continues. They gave us
more strength. Maybe it is even better, because many were “drifted”
with Obama. They thought that there was a change. They wrongfully
thought that the blockade was ended. Exactly the opposite took place.
Obama was probably the worst clamp upon Cuban economy. Our people and
all the people must remember what Che was saying about imperialism:
You can't trust him at all."
Aleida
also talked about Che's admiration for the Soviet people, his
affection for reading and studying. Among other things she said:
“My
father was always a critical person. He was applying the same with
the Soviet Union, but with much respect towards the Soviet people who
he admired and respected also for his role in the international
level”.
“In
order to exercise critique you have to study a lot. My father was
very well-read. He studied and talked with Mao Zedong himself and he
could discuss in a documented way with him. That was an advantage of
Che. He wasn't criticizing without reason. If we was criticizing
something, that was because he had searched and found answers. That's
why his critique was constructive and he was treated with respect”.
Dr.
Aleida Guevara mentioned her participation in medical brigades, where
she offered her skills and knowledge, like for example in Angola.
This experience, she said, strengthened her anti-racist views: “I
am a pediatrician and I saw children dying, while I could save them
if I had enough medicines. This is unjust. If a child is black or
lives in this planet's south, does it mean it must be condemned to
death? There isn't any right in this situation. That is why I react
in everything racist and colonial and I will fight against these
until my last breath”.
“Cuba
remains a symbol of Socialism. She proves that with her
internationalist solidarity. What makes Cuba special? Socialism and
our values. The fact that human is above everything. For example,
when the Ebola virus broke out in Africa, the WHO (World Health
Organisation) did not call a developed capitalist country. It didn't
call the USA or the EU. It called Cuba. And the Cuban doctors stopped
this epidemic which would be dangerous for the whole world. Socialist
Cuba taught us to be ready to sacrifice ourselves in order to save
lifes and help humanity. And the example of Cuba is very significant,
because it shows that if we- a poor people- can be against american
imperialism, then every people can do it."
