Minute to minute: Cuba celebrates National Rebellion Day
The act is presided by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba. Follow our updates on this national celebration here and on our Facebook page

 

 

 

 

 

Author: Digital news staff | informacion@granma.cu
july 26, 2018 06:07:59
SANTIAGO DE CUBA-MOMENTOS ANTES DEL INICIO DEL ACTO CENTRAL

6:38 a.m. The central act to mark July 26 concludes in Santiago de Cuba

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: ACN

5:46 a.m. Army General Raúl Castro offers the central remarks

As I noted last December, today I will offer the central remarks of this act, the Army General began.

None of those who had the privilege of participating in these actions under the command of Fidel, could imagine that we would still be here today, in a free country. We celebrate this 65th anniversary in Santiago de Cuba not only due to its history, but also in recognition of the work undertaken here to benefit the people, under the leadership of Lázaro Expósito Cantro, Party First Secretary in the Province, alongside Beatriz Jhonson Urrutia, a vice president of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba and president of the government in the territory.

Likewise, work is ongoing to meet the demands of the population, making the most of our own resources, which further contributes to the budget. The enthusiasm of the people of Santiago is palpable. However, much remains to be done to ensure that Santiago de Cuba is more beautiful, clean, and disciplined every day, worthy of guarding the remains of the National Hero, the Father and the Mother of the Homeland, and the historic leader of the Revolution.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC

Some days ago, the National Assembly approved the draft Constitution of the Republic, which will now see a mass popular consultation process, before returning to the Cuban Parliament to approve the final document that will be put to a national referendum, Raúl explained.

The Army General stressed the importance of the updating of the country’s Constitution.

THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

As a consequence of first the devastating drought, then Hurricane Irma, heavy rains and Tropical Storm Alberto, as well as the tightening of the U.S. blockade, the Cuban economy continues to suffer various problems, although it has seen modest growth, Raúl highlighted.

This situation means that exports must be strengthened.

Raúl recalled that the greatest source of resources are savings, which more than a slogan must become a duty.

LATIN AMERICAN INTEGRATION

Another of the issues addressed by the Army General were the positive results of regional integration. He likewise denounced the imperialist strategy to destroy organizations such as CELAC and UNASUR, founded on the basis of unity amidst diversity.

The success of CARICOM, and the participation of all members of CELAC, as well as those of ALBA, have contributed to the advance of regional integration.

In 2014, the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as Zone of Peace was signed by CELAC heads of state and government. The document reiterates the permanent commitment to the peaceful solution of disputes, to ensure an end to the threat and use of force in our region.

The U.S. government has declared the validity of the Monroe Doctrine, summarized as “America for the Americans” (read “the U.S.”), which means that the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are subject to intervention.

The United States government is implementing a racist, xenophobic agenda, and with the complicity of certain governments, has attempted to revive the fledging OAS.

The recently concluded São Paulo Forum in Havana was essential as part of the political coordination of leftist forces of the region. The final declaration of the event is a program for the struggle of leftist parties and social and popular movements.

SOLIDARITY WITH VENEZUELA AND NICARAGUA

The Army General expressed the Cuban people, Party and government’s solidarity with the peoples and revolutionary governments of Venezuela and Nicaragua.

We reiterate the call for freedom for Lula da Silva in Brazil. There is no doubt that if elections were to be held tomorrow, Lula would win the Brazilian presidency in the first round.

RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES

Relations with the United States are maintained through official channels, with collaboration continuing on a limited number of areas.

Since the reestablishment of diplomat relations was announced, clear differences on various issues have been voiced, however, Cuba reiterates the will to work toward improved relations on the basis of equality.

In August 2017, under the pretext of alleged “sonic attacks” which are as of yet to be proven, diplomatic relations between Cuba and the U.S. have been increasingly strained, Raúl noted.

Likewise, the application and extraterritorial nature of the U.S. blockade has been tightened, in particular the persecution of international financial transactions.

The Army General recalled the infamous memorandum of 1960, in which a U.S. official noted that the majority of Cubans supported the revolutionary government and that “The only foreseeable means of alienating internal support is through disenchantment and disaffection based on economic dissatisfaction and hardship (…) to bring about hunger, desperation and overthrow of government.”

“I have never read anything more cynical than those words” Raúl stressed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The First Secretary of the Party in Santiago de Cuba recalls the events of July 26, 1953, and the heroes of that feat. He calls that the homeland was born in Santiago de Cuba, which is why its residents honor this date with all kinds of tributes and celebrations.

At the same time, important investments are being made. Food production is advancing, while work continues to improve the population’s health.

He stressed that despite Yankee imperialism, hurricanes, blockades, and anything else thrown at the Cuban people, they will never surrender their Revolution, and will remain loyal to Fidel’s ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: ACN

5:30 a.m. On the 65th anniversary of the assaults on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes garrisons, a date that marks the historic continuity of the revolutionary feat that commenced on October 10, 1868, and which consolidated Fidel Castro as the unquestionable leader of the Cuban Revolution, Santiago-based members of the Union of Cuban Journalists, Education sector leaders, and members of Youth Computer Clubs, organized the “En Cuba siempre es 26” (It’s always the 26th in Cuba) twitter campaign, on July 24, higlighting the following ten reasons why Santiago de Cuba is today hosting the National Act to mark the date, and emphasizing the committment to support and defend the continuity of the Revoltuion:

– Santiago de Cuba has the honor of hosting the remains of the historic leader of the Revolution, and the intellectual author of the Moncada assault.

– Fidel Castro is the architect of the July 26 Movement, founded on the Martiana, anti-imperialist and democratic idelogcy that mobilizes the Cuban youth today.

– Because Santiago de Cuba is the crib of the Revolution and many historic leaders, and the eternal resting place of the founders of the Cuban revolutionary process.

– In Santiago de Cuba, the social project that Cubans defend continues, with popular leadership and mobilization.

– In Santiago de Cuba, work is ongoing to ensure a beautiful, clean, ordered and disciplined city for all.

– For the socioeconomic transformations contained with the Santiago Arde project.

– Due to its efficiency in prioritized sectors.

– Because in Santiago de Cuba nothing is impossible with the efforts of all.

– Because Santiago de Cuba, the Herioc City of the Republic of Cuba, rebellious yesterday, is today welcoming and heroic always.

– Because Santiago de Cuba will always await victory.

Today, Cuba is joined in its tributes by its friends both within and beyond the island, social movements, intellectuals, students, youth, professionals, and anyone passionate about the rescueing of national memory, the divulging of the achievvments of the Cuban Revolution, the validity of Fidel’s thought, and unity as an essential factor for the continuity of the Cuban social project.

Hashtags being used to follow the events are: #Cuba #SantiagodeCuba #SantiagoEn26.

5:27 a.m. Follow our coverage here and on Facebook @GranmaEnglish

A pioneer and young girl speak, recalling the events of the Moncada assault, and calling for eternal glory for the July 26 heroes and matrys 

5:12 a.m. The act to commemorate Cuba’s National Rebellion Day begins in Santiago de Cuba

The activities begin with the National Athem of Cuba and recorded words of Fidel regarding the herioc events recalled today, July 26.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: ACN

Presiding the tributes are: Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba; Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, member of the Party Central Committee and President of the Councils of State and Ministers of the Republic of Cuba; José Ramón Machado Ventura, Second Secretary of the Party Central Committee; as well as members of the Party Political Bureau, Secretariat and Councils of State and Ministers.

They are accompanied by the people of Santiago, the Party first secretary in the province, Lázaro Expósito Canto, and Beatriz Jhonson Urrutia, a vice president of the Council of State.