US-Cuba Labor Solidarity – Building Relations with Cuban Labor
Fact Sheet on US-Cuba Relations
Passing Resolutions in Labor Organizations
Reason and justice cannot be blockaded
Reason and justice cannot be blockaded
The world has condemned and calls for an end to the United States blockade
of Cuba. It is an elementary right of the island to be able to decide its
future without foreign interference
Author: Bertha Mojena Milián <http://en.granma.cu/archivo?a=321> |
internet@granma.cu
September 7, 2018 10:09:47
*Photo: *Martirena
When it comes to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on
Cuba for so many years, it would seem that everything has already been
said, although reality proves the contrary. As the blockade is tightened,
its damages to the island intensify, some more visible than others. This
unilateral policy, the product of senseless injustice, is the work of those
who use such measures as their means of doing politics.
Beyond constantly imposing conditions on Cuba and its people, violating
international law and trade norms, flouting basic principles of the United
Nations and the will of millions around the world, the blockade posses huge
barriers to the comprehensive development of Cubans and the broad
utilization of the potential of this people.
The world has condemned and calls for an end to the United States blockade
of Cuba. It is an elementary right of the island to be able to decide its
future without any foreign interference, without constantly suffering from
the incoherence and blunders of a policy that prevents us from paying for
our imports as any another country, which hinders our participation in the
international financial, economic and commercial system, affecting even
U.S. citizens and business sectors, restricted from developing a respectful
and convenient relationship with Cuban authorities and society.
Cuba maintains its just demand for an end to the policy, and thanks the
international community for its continued support in all possible
international forums, including the UN General Assembly, safe in the
knowledge that as long as this arbitrary, illegal and unfair policy remains
in place, we will be accompanied by reason and solid principles.
On October 31, 2018, the Cuban government will again denounce the
tightening of the blockade in the UN General Assembly. Because this
*hackneyed*policy, that the U.S. today seeks to impose – through other
means – against sister peoples around the world, represents the longest
economic war in history, and deeply touches Cuban families of all
generations. It is in our essence, our roots, to defend justice and the
truth accompanies us in this struggle.
*STEPS IN THE TIGHTENING OF THE BLOCKADE ON CUBA*
*2017*
– Donald Trump issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) on
Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba, representing a
serious setback in bilateral relations.
– The U.S. Treasury, State and Commerce Departments issued regulations that
impose additional obstacles to the limited opportunities of the U.S.
business sector in Cuba and further restrict the right of U.S. citizens to
travel to the island.
– New sanctions against Cuba have resulted in a significant decrease in
visitors from the U.S., and further obstacles to the economic and
commercial relations of Cuban companies with potential U.S. and
third-country partners, affecting the state and non-state sectors.
*2018*
– Dozens of banks in all regions of the world decided to end their
relations with Cuban or foreign companies, to eliminate their ties with
Cuba, including operations with Cuban citizens.
The Donald Trump administration has strengthened the blockade against Cuba
REPUBLIC OF CUBA
Permanent Mission to the United Nations
315 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016
Press release
The Donald Trump administration has
strengthened the blockade against Cuba
New York, September 14, 2018. The economic, commercial and financial blockade that the US government has imposed on Cuba since 1962 has been strengthened by the current administration of Donald Trump, who signed on June 16, 2017 in Miami, the “National Security Presidential Memorandum on the Strengthening of the United States Policy toward Cuba”. This document repealed the directive issued by President Barack Obama on October 14, 2016, entitled “Normalization of US relations with Cuba.” This has caused a setback of the position of the previous administration, which had chosen to take steps in favor of dismantling the blockade.
As a result, on November 8, 2017, the US Departments of Commerce, Treasury and State issued new regulations and provisions. Restrictions were imposed for trips under the category “people to people” and limitations on educational trips, which have had an impact on the decrease of travelers from that country to Cuba during 2018 and, consequently, on the activity of tens of thousands of Cuban self-employed workers.
On the same date, the Department of State issued a “List of Restricted Cuban Entities and Subentities,” which included 179 companies. The objective of this measure is to continue to impede the economic and commercial relations of Cuban companies with potential US and third-country partners. The extraterritorial impact has been considerable during 2018, as confusion has been generated in relation to the Specially Designated Nationals List of the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Banks and institutions in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia have imposed conditions and obstacles to continue operating with Cuban companies and embassies that have been their clients for years. Among the main effects recorded, as a result of this intimidating effect, are: the prohibition of transfers of funds in US dollars or other freely convertible currencies; the cancellation of accounts of embassies and companies with Cuban interests abroad, as well as of financial services for businesses related to Cuba and the refusal to grant credit facilities or the processing of letters of credit.
In relation to the alleged symptoms or health problems reported by a group of diplomats from the US Embassy in Cuba, the US government adopted the unjustified measure of declaring a travel warning that recommends potential visitors to reconsider their intention to travel to our country. The effect of this measure has led to a significant decrease in visitors from the US, who refrain from traveling, among other reasons, because insurance agencies take travel alerts seriously. This measure of the US government was implemented without any proven evidence of actual damage to the people residing in the US embassy in Cuba; and without any of the five million visitors of that year having reported such symptoms.
Using the same pretext, the government of that country unilaterally and unjustifiably demanded the withdrawal of a significant number of Cuban diplomatic officials from the Embassy in Washington. Among them was the staff of the economic-commercial office, in charge of exploring the opportunities and channels of commercial exchange within the extremely narrow framework of licenses and exceptions to the blockade provided by the US government. This is an additional impact on limited bilateral trade exchange.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations
Mon. Sept. 17, 10-12, Twitter Storm for Cuba. World Against the Blockade!
An Important Message from Cuba’s
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The Twitter storm and online forum will be broadcast live on the radio station Radio Havana Cuba, and it can be followed on Facebook and Twitter @Siempreconcuba. To share the details of the forum and exchange with the four panelists, we will use the hashtags #Cuba, #NoMasBloqueo and #UnblockCuba.
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415-821-6545 * info@cuba-venezuela.org
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Permanent Mission to the United Nations Blockade of the United States government against Cuba: A necessary introduction.
REPUBLIC OF CUBA
Permanent Mission to the United Nations
315 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016
Press release
Blockade of the United States government against Cuba: A necessary introduction.
New York, September 11 2018. The economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the government of the United States of America against Cuba for almost six decades is the most unjust, severe and prolonged system of unilateral sanctions that has been imposed to any country. It was established on February 3, 1962 by John F. Kennedy –-the 35th president of the United States of America– through executive order 3447. It remains in force and is strictly implemented, being the main obstacle for the development of the Cuban nation.
The damages accumulated by the blockade during almost six decades amount to 933,678,000,000 dollars taking into account the depreciation of the dollar as compared to the value of gold on the international market. At current prices, the blockade has caused damages that can be calculated at over 134,499,800,000 dollars. Only from April of 2017 to March of 2018, it has caused losses to Cuba amounting to 4,321,200,000.
This policy, which is now 56 years old, constitutes a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of all the Cuban people and qualifies as an act of genocide, in accordance with the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948. It violates the Charter of the United Nations and International Law, and constitutes an obstacle to international cooperation.
The increase of the negative effects of the strengthening of the blockade in the state economy and the non-state sector of the island, are evident taking into account the serious setback in bilateral relations, imposed by the current government of the United States with the signing of the “National Security Presidential Memorandum on Strengthening the Policy of the United States toward Cuba”, on June 16, 2017 by president Donald Trump; and the return of an aggressive, threatening, disrespectful and conditioning rhetoric from the highest levels of the US government towards the Caribbean nation.
This meant that in November of that same year, the Departments of Commerce, Treasury and State of that country issued new regulations and provisions to comply with said Memorandum; which consequently strengthened the extraterritorial implementation of the blockade and intensified the permanent persecution of Cuban financial transactions and banking and credit operations with Cuba at a global level, causing serious damage to the country’s economy
This policy of economic aggression, together with the promotion of internal subversion, corroborate the objective of the US government to destroy the economic, political and social system freely chosen by the Cuban people, while ignoring the 26 resolutions adopted by the international community within the framework of the General Assembly of the United Nations, and that dictate the end, without any conditioning, of its policy against Cuba and its people.
The imposition of the economic, commercial and financial blockade by the United States against Cuba constitutes the main obstacle to the development of all the potentials of the Cuban economy. It limits the implementation of the country’s National Plan for Economic and Social Development as well as of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. It is the main hurdle for the development of economic, commercial and financial relations between Cuba and the United States and, due to its extraterritorial nature, with the rest of the world.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations
Trump Renews Law Establishing Economic Blockade on Cuba
Trump Renews Law Establishing Economic Blockade on Cuba
Washington, Sep 11 (Prensa Latina) US President Donald Trump has renewed the Trade with the Enemy Act for one more year, a statute dating back to 1917 that sets the basis of the economic blockade imposed on Cuba.This is the second time that the Republican President does it. He also extended the restrictions for one more year in 2017. Now, he decided to keep it in force until September 4, 2019.
The renewal made by Trump implies that he has authority over some of the sanctions through executive decrees, which would also allow him to eliminate some restrictions if he were interested, although the total lifting of the hostile policy against Cuba requires a decision by Congress.
Section five of the Act empowers the President to apply economic punishments in time of war or in any other period of national emergency, and ban trade with the enemy or its allies during armed conflicts.
In 1962 the then president John Kennedy resorted to that statute to impose the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, which has been renewed ever since by succeeding heads of State.
The International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 restricted the powers of the president to impose sanctions alluding to situations of national emergency, however, the previous legislation continued to be applied to Cuba.
Trump renewed the Act when Havana is preparing to present at the end of October for the twenty-seventh consecutive time at the UN General Assembly the resolution that calls for the US Government to halt its economic war it’s waged against the island for over 55 years.
On November 1, 2017, of the 193 members of the international body 191 backed the demand of Cuba, while only the United States and its ally Israel opposed it.
At the same time, diverse sectors in the US want the government to put an end to that hostile policy, that the predecessor of Trump in the White House, Barack Obama, called it several times obsolete.
Reason and justice cannot be blockaded
Reason and justice cannot be blockaded
The world has condemned and calls for an end to the United States blockade of Cuba. It is an elementary right of the island to be able to decide its future without foreign interference
When it comes to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba for so many years, it would seem that everything has already been said, although reality proves the contrary. As the blockade is tightened, its damages to the island intensify, some more visible than others. This unilateral policy, the product of senseless injustice, is the work of those who use such measures as their means of doing politics.
Beyond constantly imposing conditions on Cuba and its people, violating international law and trade norms, flouting basic principles of the United Nations and the will of millions around the world, the blockade posses huge barriers to the comprehensive development of Cubans and the broad utilization of the potential of this people.
The world has condemned and calls for an end to the United States blockade of Cuba. It is an elementary right of the island to be able to decide its future without any foreign interference, without constantly suffering from the incoherence and blunders of a policy that prevents us from paying for our imports as any another country, which hinders our participation in the international financial, economic and commercial system, affecting even U.S. citizens and business sectors, restricted from developing a respectful and convenient relationship with Cuban authorities and society.
Cuba maintains its just demand for an end to the policy, and thanks the international community for its continued support in all possible international forums, including the UN General Assembly, safe in the knowledge that as long as this arbitrary, illegal and unfair policy remains in place, we will be accompanied by reason and solid principles.
On October 31, 2018, the Cuban government will again denounce the tightening of the blockade in the UN General Assembly. Because this hackneyedpolicy, that the U.S. today seeks to impose – through other means – against sister peoples around the world, represents the longest economic war in history, and deeply touches Cuban families of all generations. It is in our essence, our roots, to defend justice and the truth accompanies us in this struggle.
STEPS IN THE TIGHTENING OF THE BLOCKADE ON CUBA
2017
– Donald Trump issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) on Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba, representing a serious setback in bilateral relations.
– The U.S. Treasury, State and Commerce Departments issued regulations that impose additional obstacles to the limited opportunities of the U.S. business sector in Cuba and further restrict the right of U.S. citizens to travel to the island.
– New sanctions against Cuba have resulted in a significant decrease in visitors from the U.S., and further obstacles to the economic and commercial relations of Cuban companies with potential U.S. and third-country partners, affecting the state and non-state sectors.
2018
– Dozens of banks in all regions of the world decided to end their relations with Cuban or foreign companies, to eliminate their ties with Cuba, including operations with Cuban citizens.
NYC SPECIAL EVENT, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 AT RIVERSIDE CHURCH: CUBA SPEAKS FOR ITSELF!
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Dear Cuba Solidarity Activists,
Please join us on Wednesday, September 26 for a special evening where friends of Cuba, solidarity activists, and opponents of the decades-long criminal US blockade, as we welcome a high-level delegation from Cuba who are participating in the Fall 2018 gathering and opening of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.This will be an evening where Cuba Speak for Itself.
You will need a ticket to attend this special evening. So act now to confirm your reservation and reservations for any larger group you are part of.
PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL WITH YOUR NAME, EMAIL ADDRESS, AND CELL PHONE NUMBER TO CONFIRM YOUR RESERVATION
End All US Economic and Travel Sanctions!
Return Guantanamo to Cuba!
Stop All Regime Change Programs!
in solidarity,
Ike Nahem
for the July 26 Coalition
Days of Action Against the Blockade 2018 9/24-9/28 Washington DC
International Committee
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Days of Action Against the Blockade 2018: In Cuba Education is a National Priority, in the US Education is Under Attack |
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Why is education a national priority in Cuba?
Why is education under attack in the United States?
Why must Puerto Ricans fight for their right to an education?
Join us for the US premiere of
Lucha Si!
The Fight for Public Education in Puerto Rico and
Maestra
Part of “Days of Action Against the Blockade”
(September 24-28) Watch the films.
Meet the Directors.
Talk with those on the front lines of the struggle.
Engage in the discussion.
Envision a better future
Wednesday 26,
7:00-9:30pm
E Street Cinema Theater
555 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Tickets at the door, or soon available at brownpapertickets
About the films:
Lucha Si! Fight for Public Education in Puerto Rico – co-directed by Jenifer Wager, Jinnette Morales and Poonam Srivastava – documents the heroic struggle of teachers and students in Puerto Rico as they fight capitalism’s destruction of their education system in the wake of economic and climate crises. The 30-minute film, which features footage from the Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico and its president Mercedes Martinez, is part of a series called Class Wars: Fight for Public Education.
Maestra by Catherine Murphy tells the story of Cuba’s National Literacy Campaign. In 1961, over 250,000 Cuban volunteers taught more than 707,000 fellow Cubans to read and write. Almost half of these volunteer teachers were under 18. More than half were women. Narrated by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, MAESTRA (Spanish for teacher) explores the experiences of nine women who, as young girls, helped eradicate Cuban illiteracy within one year. Inter-weaving recent interviews, archival footage, and campaign photos, this lively 33-minute documentary includes one of the first Cubans of her generation to call herself a feminist and one of the first openly proud members of Cuba’s LGBT community.
Guests Speakers
Other activities of Days of Action include
Visit our FB page, like it and share it with friends
We urgently need your help to cover the cost of this endeavor. Please make a DONATION towards Days of Action Against the Blockade 2018.
Organized by the International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity and the Institute for Policy Studies.
For more information write to info@theinternationalcommittee.org
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Fidel’s Cuba takes on the impossible
Fidel’s Cuba takes on the impossible
A reflection on the occasion of Fidel’s birthday – August 13, the 92nd anniversary of his birth – and a life well lived
Life seems short to humans. We are but specks of light in the infinity of history. Death puts an end to material existence and inexorably arrives for all.
Defeating it, despite all the efforts of those have tried for centuries, can only be accomplished two ways: leaving love, sowed with kindness and devotion, or by developing ideas that surpass the personal to become shared property.
Few men and women have been able to do both and reach a sublime form of immortality. They cease to exist to become a people, and as the date of their deaths recedes in time, their presence continues to spread, like a fire.
Just saying their names is enough to feel their closeness, to sustain and encourage us in the joyful times and those of sacrifice. Thus Fidel remains in our hearts, and as always speaks to us of what makes our country great: the unity of our people facing the impossible.
We must believe in humanity despite the dark sides, to make a Revolution, and understand that the struggle does not end with the victory, but rather truly begins at that moment. This vision is what makes Fidel so magnetic: his caliber as a leader and his unquestionable authority had as their foundation great faith in the will of human beings to grow, and the analytical ability to see beyond the evident.
Amidst our current effort to achieve a Constitution that works for us, not only putting the society we are on paper, but also the society we want to be, it is no accident that today’s date marks the beginning of a time period when we are called upon to speak loud and clear, knowing that politics is the people’s business – something else Fidel taught us.
August 13 does not mark the beginning of a life that lasted 90 years, but rather of a spiral that will continue upward as long as there is someone repeating what has become a moral conviction: Comandante en Jefe, at your orders!
Cuba celebrates National Rebellion Day
Minute to minute: Cuba celebrates National Rebellion Day
The act is presided by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba. Follow our updates on this national celebration here and on our Facebook page
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6:38 a.m. The central act to mark July 26 concludes in Santiago de Cuba
Photo: ACN
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5:46 a.m. Army General Raúl Castro offers the central remarks
As I noted last December, today I will offer the central remarks of this act, the Army General began.
None of those who had the privilege of participating in these actions under the command of Fidel, could imagine that we would still be here today, in a free country. We celebrate this 65th anniversary in Santiago de Cuba not only due to its history, but also in recognition of the work undertaken here to benefit the people, under the leadership of Lázaro Expósito Cantro, Party First Secretary in the Province, alongside Beatriz Jhonson Urrutia, a vice president of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba and president of the government in the territory.
Likewise, work is ongoing to meet the demands of the population, making the most of our own resources, which further contributes to the budget. The enthusiasm of the people of Santiago is palpable. However, much remains to be done to ensure that Santiago de Cuba is more beautiful, clean, and disciplined every day, worthy of guarding the remains of the National Hero, the Father and the Mother of the Homeland, and the historic leader of the Revolution.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC
Some days ago, the National Assembly approved the draft Constitution of the Republic, which will now see a mass popular consultation process, before returning to the Cuban Parliament to approve the final document that will be put to a national referendum, Raúl explained.
The Army General stressed the importance of the updating of the country’s Constitution.
THE NATIONAL ECONOMY
As a consequence of first the devastating drought, then Hurricane Irma, heavy rains and Tropical Storm Alberto, as well as the tightening of the U.S. blockade, the Cuban economy continues to suffer various problems, although it has seen modest growth, Raúl highlighted.
This situation means that exports must be strengthened.
Raúl recalled that the greatest source of resources are savings, which more than a slogan must become a duty.
LATIN AMERICAN INTEGRATION
Another of the issues addressed by the Army General were the positive results of regional integration. He likewise denounced the imperialist strategy to destroy organizations such as CELAC and UNASUR, founded on the basis of unity amidst diversity.
The success of CARICOM, and the participation of all members of CELAC, as well as those of ALBA, have contributed to the advance of regional integration.
In 2014, the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as Zone of Peace was signed by CELAC heads of state and government. The document reiterates the permanent commitment to the peaceful solution of disputes, to ensure an end to the threat and use of force in our region.
The U.S. government has declared the validity of the Monroe Doctrine, summarized as “America for the Americans” (read “the U.S.”), which means that the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are subject to intervention.
The United States government is implementing a racist, xenophobic agenda, and with the complicity of certain governments, has attempted to revive the fledging OAS.
The recently concluded São Paulo Forum in Havana was essential as part of the political coordination of leftist forces of the region. The final declaration of the event is a program for the struggle of leftist parties and social and popular movements.
SOLIDARITY WITH VENEZUELA AND NICARAGUA
The Army General expressed the Cuban people, Party and government’s solidarity with the peoples and revolutionary governments of Venezuela and Nicaragua.
We reiterate the call for freedom for Lula da Silva in Brazil. There is no doubt that if elections were to be held tomorrow, Lula would win the Brazilian presidency in the first round.
RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES
Relations with the United States are maintained through official channels, with collaboration continuing on a limited number of areas.
Since the reestablishment of diplomat relations was announced, clear differences on various issues have been voiced, however, Cuba reiterates the will to work toward improved relations on the basis of equality.
In August 2017, under the pretext of alleged “sonic attacks” which are as of yet to be proven, diplomatic relations between Cuba and the U.S. have been increasingly strained, Raúl noted.
Likewise, the application and extraterritorial nature of the U.S. blockade has been tightened, in particular the persecution of international financial transactions.
The Army General recalled the infamous memorandum of 1960, in which a U.S. official noted that the majority of Cubans supported the revolutionary government and that “The only foreseeable means of alienating internal support is through disenchantment and disaffection based on economic dissatisfaction and hardship (…) to bring about hunger, desperation and overthrow of government.”
“I have never read anything more cynical than those words” Raúl stressed.
The First Secretary of the Party in Santiago de Cuba recalls the events of July 26, 1953, and the heroes of that feat. He calls that the homeland was born in Santiago de Cuba, which is why its residents honor this date with all kinds of tributes and celebrations.
At the same time, important investments are being made. Food production is advancing, while work continues to improve the population’s health.
He stressed that despite Yankee imperialism, hurricanes, blockades, and anything else thrown at the Cuban people, they will never surrender their Revolution, and will remain loyal to Fidel’s ideas.
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Photo: ACN
5:30 a.m. On the 65th anniversary of the assaults on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes garrisons, a date that marks the historic continuity of the revolutionary feat that commenced on October 10, 1868, and which consolidated Fidel Castro as the unquestionable leader of the Cuban Revolution, Santiago-based members of the Union of Cuban Journalists, Education sector leaders, and members of Youth Computer Clubs, organized the “En Cuba siempre es 26” (It’s always the 26th in Cuba) twitter campaign, on July 24, higlighting the following ten reasons why Santiago de Cuba is today hosting the National Act to mark the date, and emphasizing the committment to support and defend the continuity of the Revoltuion:
– Santiago de Cuba has the honor of hosting the remains of the historic leader of the Revolution, and the intellectual author of the Moncada assault.
– Fidel Castro is the architect of the July 26 Movement, founded on the Martiana, anti-imperialist and democratic idelogcy that mobilizes the Cuban youth today.
– Because Santiago de Cuba is the crib of the Revolution and many historic leaders, and the eternal resting place of the founders of the Cuban revolutionary process.
– In Santiago de Cuba, the social project that Cubans defend continues, with popular leadership and mobilization.
– In Santiago de Cuba, work is ongoing to ensure a beautiful, clean, ordered and disciplined city for all.
– For the socioeconomic transformations contained with the Santiago Arde project.
– Due to its efficiency in prioritized sectors.
– Because in Santiago de Cuba nothing is impossible with the efforts of all.
– Because Santiago de Cuba, the Herioc City of the Republic of Cuba, rebellious yesterday, is today welcoming and heroic always.
– Because Santiago de Cuba will always await victory.
Today, Cuba is joined in its tributes by its friends both within and beyond the island, social movements, intellectuals, students, youth, professionals, and anyone passionate about the rescueing of national memory, the divulging of the achievvments of the Cuban Revolution, the validity of Fidel’s thought, and unity as an essential factor for the continuity of the Cuban social project.
Hashtags being used to follow the events are: #Cuba #SantiagodeCuba #SantiagoEn26.
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5:27 a.m. Follow our coverage here and on Facebook @GranmaEnglish
A pioneer and young girl speak, recalling the events of the Moncada assault, and calling for eternal glory for the July 26 heroes and matrys.
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5:12 a.m. The act to commemorate Cuba’s National Rebellion Day begins in Santiago de Cuba
The activities begin with the National Athem of Cuba and recorded words of Fidel regarding the herioc events recalled today, July 26.
Photo: ACN
Presiding the tributes are: Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba; Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, member of the Party Central Committee and President of the Councils of State and Ministers of the Republic of Cuba; José Ramón Machado Ventura, Second Secretary of the Party Central Committee; as well as members of the Party Political Bureau, Secretariat and Councils of State and Ministers.
They are accompanied by the people of Santiago, the Party first secretary in the province, Lázaro Expósito Canto, and Beatriz Jhonson Urrutia, a vice president of the Council of State.
