Article by Albano Nunes, member of the Political Committee and of the Secretariat of the CC
Within the very hard ground the class struggle runs across in our present days, Cuba is very important. The winds of change that blow through Latin America would not be as strong, without the mobilizing example of its socialist revolution. And the field of the revolutionary and progressist forces would be poorer if the colossal challenges history placed before the Cuban people, had not been courageously faced achieved. Cuba’s great prestige and authority within the agreement among all nations, from the Non – Aligned Movement to the UN, is a factor of the greatest importance for the liberating struggle of the workers and the peoples of all continents.
It is not at all surprising that Cuba, an old USA colony and brothel, has been ever since under the watch of imperialism and the international retrograde tendencies, where all motives help to orchestrate anti-communist violent campaigns, leading to shameless ingerence operations in internal matters. It is just what is happening, once again, under the pretext of Fidel’s replacement in the highest functions of the State; class hatred against which his prestigious revolutionary character represents, is such, they do not loose the opportunity to draw out felt lowness and rancour, therefore combining threats and "advice" in order to inculcate the idea that with Fidel’s disappearance the defeat of socialism is inevitable. Aiming at the disruption and subversion of the Island of Freedom, they also endeavour to ruin the confidence of all those, who throughout Latin America and the world, see Cuba and its revolution as the proof that "yes, it is possible", and therefore, liberate themselves from the capitalist exploitation and imperialist oppression.
It is timely to remember – as Fidel has recalled – what makes the greatness of a deed is the greatness of the ideals it carries and its roots within the masses. That is the lesson of the Cuban revolution, just as in all revolutions. Fidel’s contribution on what regards the heroic triumph of the Sierra Maestra and the defence and consolidation of the sovereignty and socialism, is, in fact, gigantic. Because it answered the demands of social development and the ambitions of the Cuban people, in a time when, (inaugurated with the October Revolution) to achieve its immediate purposes (in Cuba the conquest of sovereignty, the overthrowing of the Baptista dictatorship, the liquidation of the sugar large estates) any liberating enterprise must be led towards deep socio-economic changes and take the direction towards socialism.
Cuba will soon celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Revolution, of that unforgettable 1st of January 1959, when Fidel and his companions, after the Moncada barracks assault, the landing of Gramna and the a thousand and one guerrilla fights, made the dictator run and, finally, the dictatorship was overthrown. There were years of hard struggle.
Always confronting imperialism, with the gun in one hand and the hoe and pen in the other. Offering heroic resistance to the invasion of the Bay of Pigs, nuclear blackmail, economic embargo, the most brutal ideological war. Reorganizing twice, almost totally, its economic foreign relations. Facing the dramatic disappearance of the Soviet Union and the socialist field. Defending, amid the great difficulties of the " special period ", Health and Education along with other emblematical achievements of the people and using them as instruments regarding welfare and internationalism. Helping other peoples, as the Angola people, in the defence against imperialist aggression. That great deed, to which Fidel shall continue to give his contribution and to which his name will be linked forever, has the esteem and the admiration of the PCP.
Warmest congratulations, comrade Raul Castro. All the best of health and a long life, comrade Fidel. Best wishes of success for the communists and the Cuban people and the strength of solidarity, at all times, from the Portuguese communists.
