A patriotic, renovated El Cobre greets Díaz-Canel
The Cuban President appreciated the social transformations evident in the town and continued his tour of Santiago de Cuba with stops at sites of economic importance
Author: Eduardo Palomares Calderón | palomares@granma.cu
june 22, 2018 10:06:36

Photo: Estudio Revolución
SANTIAGO DE CUBA.–Residents enthusiastically welcomed the President yesterday, during his visit to the internationally known community of El Cobre, with more than 18,400 inhabitants, 22 kilometers from the provincial capital.
Díaz-Canel’s first stop – accompanied by members of the Central Committee Lázaro Expósito Canto and Beatriz ¬Johnson Urrutia, Party first secretary in the province and president of the Provincial Assembly of People’s Power, respectively – was the new hotel under construction here.
Tourism Ministry authorities and the construction company Emprestur, explained that the facility, to be completed next July, is projected as a four-star hotel, with 74 rooms.
The group, joined by Culture Minister Abel Prieto toured a new movie theater and internet navigation wifi site; heard about renovation efforts in the town from local authorities; and enjoyed brief performances by the professional and children’s steel bands at their recently established headquarters on the town’s central boulevard. At each site, the President inquired about the quality of work done.

Photo: Estudio Revolución
Under the noonday sun, crowds gathered on sidewalks to send greetings to Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, and express respect and affection for the new President. Upon his departure, Diaz-Canel stopped again at a park to talk with residents.
Later in the day, Díaz-Canel visited two soy oil processing facilities, inaugurated by Commandante en Jefe Fidel Castro, October 24, 2001, and now undergoing a 20 million pesos renovation, to increase capacity and improve quality.
To close the day, the President met with students at the University of Oriente and the provincial medical school, joined by Minister of Higher Education José Ramón Saborido Loidi. Some 20 students took the floor to share opinions on their academic programs, the university’s links with the population, and interaction with provincial authorities.
Díaz-Canel concluded noting, “This is a province of constant renewal. Here you always see new things, as Army General Raúl Castro saw. And what is most significant is the united participation of everyone in Santiago in these projects, of which you are so proud.”

Another April 19, another victory
The fact that today Cuba has a new President is not only the result of an electoral process. This was a transition from one historical generation to another, which was as natural as it was transcendental

Author: Lissy Rodríguez Guerrero | informacion@granma.cu
Author: Yudy Castro Morales | internet@granma.cu
april 20, 2018 09:04:03

Miguel Díaz Canel and Raúl Castro. Photo: Estudios Revolución Photo: Estudio Revolución
The fact that today Cuba has a new President is not only the result of an electoral process. There is a great deal of responsibility, and symbolism. in this transition from one historical generation to another which was not forged in the Sierra or on the plains in the hard-won victory, but one that has risen to the occasion to preserve the victory, without losing the way, to found, transform, triumph…

And there is also disinterest in this act of ceding, that does not imply quitting. There is much humility in those who leave to others the leadership of the great work of the Revolution to which they have given their all – to now accompany those bearing the responsibility, in Raúl’s case, as the highest authority in the political vanguard and from his seat as a deputy.

The events were as natural as they were transcendental.

On the first day of the Assembly’s constituent session, we saw Raúl take his seat in the first row, exercise his right to vote, ballot in hand, showing with his unassuming conduct that the time had arrived, the moment that always seemed so distant.

And when Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez was elected as President of Cuba, Raúl stepped up, without any unnecessary protocol or solemn posture, to receive him, embrace him, show his confidence in the man, the future.

Speaking of Díaz-Canel, Raúl emphasized that he is no rookie, noting his work as an engineer, an officer in the Revolutionary Armed Forces, a youth leader and later a professional Party cadre in Villa Clara and Holguín. He spoke of his performance as Minister of Higher Education, and for the last five years, as First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers.

The new President spoke of Raúl as a statesman, of his leadership in the development of national consensus on the updating process underway in the country, as well as his rich history as a participant in the Moncada assault, a Granma expeditionary, a guerilla, military commander, and political leader.

“I’m not here to promise anything,” Díaz-Canel said, “as the Revolution never did over all these years. I’m here to offer commitment,” to continue working and creating tirelessly, in step with the people.

In this endeavor, we are not alone, because “even our dead accompany us.”

It may not be easy to do all that needs to be done, but this April 19, there was no parting. The continuity has a face, faces.

Miguel Díaz-Canel: I assume this responsibility with the conviction that all we revolutionaries will be faithful to Fidel and Raúl
On the morning of April 19, a historic date on which not only is the first defeat of Yankee imperialism in the Americas commemorated, but Cuba also sees the inauguration of a new government that makes evident the continuity of the new generations with the legacy of the historic generation that founded the Cuban Revolution in the highest leadership positions of the country

Author: Digital news staff | informacion@granma.cu
april 19, 2018 11:04:18
On the morning of April 19, a historic date on which not only is the first defeat of Yankee imperialism in the Americas commemorated, but Cuba also sees the inauguration of a new government that makes evident the continuity of the new generations with the legacy of the historic generation that founded the Cuban Revolution in the highest leadership positions of the country, compañero Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, offered his first speech as President of the Councils of State and of Ministers of Cuba.
He began by recognizing the leadership of Army General Raúl Castro, the candidate for deputy to have received the most votes in the recent general elections; as well as the Comandantes of the Revolution, “who on being in this room offer us the opportunity to embrace history,” he noted.
He also referred to the “dark attempts to destroy us” of those who have not been able to destroy “our faith.”
With the inauguration of this new legislature, he emphasized, the electoral process comes to its conclusion. The Cuban people, who have massively participated throughout, are conscious of its historic importance. They have elected their representatives based on their capacity to represent their localities, without media campaigns, corruption or demagoguery. Citizens have elected humble, hard-working people as their genuine representatives, who will participate in the approval and implementation of the country’s policies.

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