En Marcha: The Cuban Revolution, Its Direction and Legacy

Originally posted at www.pcmle.org/EM/spip.php?article12271

[Relating to Cuba, the USA's extraterritorial prison on stolen Cuban territory in Guantanamo opened 21 years ago January 11th.  There is a list of events at:  www.rightsanddissent.org/news/guantanamo-at-21-upcoming-vigils-rallies-and-events-to-mark-the-anniversary/

There will be a vigil in Raleigh on the 11th:

"January 11 vigil in Raleigh to commemorate 21 years since the opening of Guantánamo prison

WHEN:  Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

WHERE:  The Federal Building at New Bern Avenue and Person Street in Raleigh

SPONSORS:  NC Stop Torture Now, Veterans for Peace, NC Peace Action"

Stop US Wars:  Next Step -->>  MLK Week of Actions - January 13 - 22

The United National Antiwar Coalition has called for another week of action in January.  To endorse the call or to announce an event, contact:  UNACpeace at gmail  There is a listing of events, including in North Carolina, at:  unac.notowar.net/martin-luther-king-jr-week-of-actions/ ]

En Marcha 2031, January 4-10, 2023  

Central Organ of the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party of Ecuador  

The Cuban Revolution, Its Direction and Legacy  

January 1 marked the 65th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, one of the most important milestones in Latin America and the Caribbean, as it showed that the organized people can win power and defeat U.S. imperialism through organization and struggle. The seizure of power in Cuba made it possible to adopt a series of measures that substantially improved the lives of the population, while defending the democratic and sovereign character of this victory of the people.  

In the mid-20th century, Cuba was under the entire control of the United States and several landowning families that monopolized oil production, telephone communications, sugar cane, tourism, among other companies. Meanwhile, poverty, hunger and the exploitation of workers in Cuba created conditions for the social mobilization that fought against the autocratic regime of Fulgencio Batista until its fall on January 1, 1959.  

The guerrilla movement, led by Fidel Castro, was born in the Sierra Maestra and carried out important actions of struggle, which put Batista's forces in check. The various armed actions of the young guerrillas, the union with the peasants, and the subsequent incorporation of the workers of the city, resulted in the victory for the people. The material and social demands were immediately carried out: the creation of public schools, the elimination of illiteracy, comprehensive health care throughout the island. It enabled agrarian reform, the creation of new sources of employment, the training of technicians in many areas of knowledge, the technification of agriculture, among others. It affirmed the fighting spirit of the population and the solidarity of the people, in addition to their willingness to support the other peoples of Latin America in their search for their liberation. The Cuban revolution positively influenced the spirit of the countries of the region, motivated the creation of organizations and movements of a democratic and combative nature, especially among the youth and sectors of workers.  

Over the years, the Cuban people have defended their revolution at all times, since it allowed them to pass from the latifundista backwardness in which they had lived until 1959 and advance in the construction of a more solidary, just and equitable society. The constant attacks of US imperialism, with the economic blockade and all kinds of sanctions, could not stop the development of the population and the satisfaction of their basic needs under conditions of equity. Thus, Cuba has a GDP of US $107.352 billion, higher than other countries in the region, and although its development conditions are different from them, it is possible to state that the basic needs of its people are covered.  

The Cuban people retain the ideals that once led them to seize power. However, a series of policies approved by the State have made it possible for some positive elements of the economy and political organization to be set aside, to incorporate capitalist forms in production and trade, contrary to the initial elements that raised expectations worldwide, such as the opening of the economy to international markets, decentralization of foreign trade, price increases, speculation, the accumulation of capital in private hands and various changes in favor of transnationals.