Today, Cubans commemorate the heroic assault on the Moncada Barracks. Sixty-five years ago, on July 26, 1953, a group of courageous young men and women -- led by Fidel Castro -- attacked the Moncada Barracks in the city of Santiago de Cuba, and the Carlos Manuel de Cespedes Barracks in Bayamo, in an attempt to overthrow the U.S. supported puppet dictator Fulgencio Batista. As the island's second largest military garrison, the Moncada Barracks was critical to Batista's military control of southern Cuba. The goal was to seize the weapons and distribute them to the people and spark a national uprising that would not only overthrow the Batista dictatorship but also establish Cuba's independence and sovereignty. This heroic act is annually commemorated all over Cuba as the beginning of the movement and struggle that laid the foundation of the Cuban Revolution.
The attacks
were carried out by an organization that was created in 1952, under the
leadership of Fidel Castro and Abel Santamaria, and comprised of young workers,
students, artisans, peasants and landless farmers. It had around 1,500 members
and affiliated itself with historic Cuban national liberation figures such as
José Martí and Antonio Maceo. Around 120 youths were part of the attacks,
approximately 70 of whom were killed, with many being tortured and executed
after the attack. The survivors, including Fidel Castro, were subsequently put
on trial and given lengthy prison sentences. Most, including Fidel Castro, were
released after an amnesty in May 1955. This amnesty was the result of the mass
mobilization of Cubans in support of the imprisoned rebels. Under the
leadership of Fidel Castro, the July 26th Movement galvanized Cubans,
ultimately leading to the victory of the Cuban Revolution on January 1, 1959.
While the
Moncada attack failed in fulfilling its immediate objective, it was central to
the Cuban people's struggle for national affirmation and social emancipation.
Cubans have always placed Moncada in a broad historical context, viewing it as
a crucial link in the century-long striving of Cuba to free itself from Spanish
colonial domination and U.S. tutelage, and then, establish authentic
independence. At his trial Fidel Castro delivered a speech that eventually
became the manifesto of the movement to overthrow the Batista tyranny. It was
published as La Historia Me Absolvera (History Will Absolve
Me) and laid out the national and social goals of the revolutionary movement
that eventually triumphed on January 1, 1959. Today, the Moncada and Carlos
Manuel de Cespedes barracks, now a school and a museum, stand as concrete
symbols of that successful struggle.
Though the
historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro is no longer physically
present, Cuba continues along the path he blazed: unbending commitment to
Justice, Dignity and Independence that has characterized Cuba since the triumph
of the Cuban Revolution. Fidel's living legacy continues in the work of
the Cuban Revolution. As Cuba continues on the road of
revolutionary renewal and continuity, Fidel's example and fidelity to
principle continue to inspire the Cuban people.
Canadian
commemorations of Moncada Day are a reflection of the ties that exist between
Cuba and Canada. Canadians admire the courageous and rebellious spirit embodied
in Moncada; a spirit that today is so powerfully manifested in Cuba's
steadfastness against the efforts of the empire to destroy the island's
independence. Canadians irrespective of their political or ideological
positions, stand in favour of building relations with Cuba based on mutual
respect and equality, relations which uphold Cuba's right to self-determination
and sovereignty. Having traveled to Cuba in the hundreds of thousands and
having witnessed Cuban reality for themselves, Canadians have come away with a
profound respect and admiration for the Cuban people and their efforts to build
and defend a society centred on independence, justice and human dignity.
Since the
Cuban people embarked on the road paved by Moncada, Cuba has refuted and
continues to refute the colonialist mentality and practice of foisting on
independent countries imperial arrangements and dictates that they resoundingly
reject. The Cuban Revolution has refused to renounce its right to
self-determination and the principles, principles forged in the crucible of
Moncada.
In
the years that have flashed by since Moncada, the Cuban people have shown
what is possible to achieve when one defends genuine independence and
self-determination. The example of Cuba assumes even greater significance as
the 21st century unfolds, fraught with grave dangers that threaten the well
being of the peoples of the world. In the midst of these profound challenges,
Cuba refutes those who argue that relations among the world's nations and
peoples are -- and can only be -- determined by self-interest, the pursuit of
power and wealth. As Cuba continues on the path of social justice, human
dignity and international solidarity, the Cuban Revolution continues to be an
inspiration to humanity. Cuba demonstrates that it is possible to build
relations based on genuine solidarity and social love; it is a living example
of the alternatives that permit people to realize their deepest aspirations,
and that another better world is possible. History has given its
judgment: vindicating Fidel and the Cuban Revolution!
Long Live the Martyrs of Moncada!
Long Live the Cuban Revolution!
Isaac Saney,
National Spokesperson, Canadian Network On Cuba, July 26, 2018
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