The Cuban Revolution Continues To Inspire 62 Years After Victory
Today, January 1st, 2021, marks the 62nd anniversary of the Victory of the Cuban Revolution over US-backed Cuban Dictator Fulgencio Batista. The Revolution was spearheaded by the 26th July Movement, under the leadership of Fidel Castro and Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara. With the dawn of that new year back in 1959 came the dawn of a new era for the Cuban people, and indeed for many oppressed peoples around the world.
This new Cuba was created with the intention of allowing the people to control their own destinies, free from native capitalist and imperialist US interference, with the principles of equality, liberty and community being central tenets of this new state.
In response to this example of humanitarianism and internationalism set by the Cuban people, the US and its allies have continued to wage war against them, imposing sanctions, sabotage and attempted invasion. But the Cuban people have remained steadfast in their dedication to collective action, co-operation and human solidarity, becoming a beacon of hope to all those who struggle for a new society free from the greed, exploitation and barbarity of capitalist society.
Despite being a small island nation, having relatively few natural resources and being the neighbour of the most vicious imperialist state on the planet, Cuba has managed to become a shining example to all countries of the world. The advances made in healthcare, education, science, environmentalism and social stability remain a tribute to the Cuban people and their socialist project. To achieve these feats while at the same time extending its practical support and solidarity to other developing nations is truly remarkable and a testament to the depths of revolutionary political commitment and morality that exist in Cuba.
Nelson Mandela believed that Cuban military support was critical to the eventual collapse of the apartheid regime.
From its inception, revolutionary Cuba has extended its civilian and military assistance to many other developing nations across the world. They have given material support in the form of arms, finance and personnel to dozens of national liberation movements, anti-colonial struggles and budding socialist states. Many Cubans have been martyred in this noble internationalist pursuit. The greatest example of this was Cuba’s contribution to the fight against the racist Apartheid South African regime in Angola. From 1975 to 1991 over 330,000 thousand Cuban revolutionaries contributed to this struggle, with over 2,000 losing their lives. The Angolan mission has assumed legendary status on the island, holding a privileged position in the pantheon of Cuba's internationalism.
As well as military assistance, revolutionary Cuba has also been providing international medical assistance for the entirety of its existence. Starting in 1960, when a team of medics were sent to earthquake-hit Chile, Cuban medical brigades have been ever-present in responding to natural disasters, disease pandemics and assisting the healthcare efforts of developing countries. To date over 400,000 Cuban medics have been sent to dozens of mainly African and Latin American countries, as well as offering this medical assistance to anti-colonial movements and even to impoverished communities living under hostile governments and insurgent groups.
With the outbreak of the current Covid-19 pandemic Cuba has again shone as an example for the rest of the world to follow. At the beginning of the pandemic Cuba sent its Henry Reeve International Medical Contingent to Northern Italy to assist the fight against Covid-19 there. This was the first time a Cuban medical team had travelled to assist a European country. Since then it has sent a further 1,200 doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers to over 22 other countries suffering from the effects of the virus, including many developing Caribbean and African nations.
Cuban medics in Milan, Italy
Domestically Cuba has also put many so-called developed nations to shame with its efficient response to the pandemic, suffering only 12,056 cases and astoundingly only 146 deaths as a result. While in the neighbouring US the pandemic continues to spread out of control, with 20 million cases and over 350,000 deaths, owing to a healthcare system run for profit and an economic system that benefits only a tiny few, while the vast majority in that country continue to suffer.
As an island nation, Cuba has had a huge natural advantage in containing and sufficiently suppressing the virus, ensuring minimal disruption to the lives of Cuban citizens, something that the Six County and Twenty Six County states have both failed to do, instead putting the interests of businessmen and airline executives above those of Irish citizens.
Today is a day when it is traditional to make resolutions. The example of the Cuban revolution is such that it invites all sincere revolutionaries to recommit themselves to setting about the creation of a New Republic in Ireland. It is a day to recommit ourselves to the battle of ideas and the battle for the future. Ultimately, the real choice facing humanity is that of choosing between barbarism and socialism. The Cuban revolution has shown what it is to set about building the alternative to the barbarism of capitalism. It has shown time and time again its moral superiority to that of the neighbouring empire that has oppressed it for all of its history. It has shown all of us something of the political courage, commitment and vision required to build a real future.
We extend to the Cuban people many congratulations on the victories of the last 62 years and wish all continued success in the struggle to defend dignity and to build a society run for the benefit of all.
Long May The Cuban Revolution Continue!
Patria o Muerte!