For the final session of the dayschool, Fight for socialism, we were honoured to be joined on the platform by Her Excellency Ismara Mercedes Vargas Walter, Cuba’s ambassador to the UK, and Wilfredo Hernández, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. We thank the Venezuelan Consulate for their support in facilitating our event at Bolivar Hall. Below we reprint an abridged version of the speech given by Cuban Ambassador Vargas.
Comrades and friends, it’s a true honour to stand before you today at such a critical stage for Cuba and the global struggle for socialism. I extend our deepest gratitude to all of you, especially the Revolutionary Communist Group and Rock around the Blockade, for your unwavering solidarity with Cuba. Your support strengthens our resolve in the face of imperialist aggression by the US. We meet at a time when Cuba is continuing its struggle against the longest and most comprehensive blockade in history, the US blockade. For more than 60 years, it has sought to suffocate our economy and isolate us from the international community. Yet Cuba remains resilient and firmly committed to building a just socialist society for the benefit of our people. Today, Cuba faces an energy crisis that has placed our people in a state of emergency. This crisis is a direct result of the criminal blockade imposed by the US. This crisis is also a direct result of the unilateral designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism – a baseless, politically motivated designation that prevents Cuba from accessing fuel, securing loans or trading with international partners. These aggressive policies have severely limited our ability to meet basic energy needs and have exacerbated the hardships of the Cuban people. Cuba’s commitment to its socialist path has long frustrated imperialism, which has sought to prove our system unworkable since the triumph of the revolution in 1959. But we remain steadfast in our resolve.
And the solidarity we are receiving from friends around the world shows Cuba that we are not alone in this struggle. The inclusion of Cuba in the so-called list of sponsors of terrorism has exacerbated the already devastating effects of the blockade. It is a clear political weapon aimed at further damaging our economy. It falsely labels Cuba as a supporter of terrorism, when Cuba has always been a promoter of peace, solidarity and international cooperation. Your solidarity has been essential in amplifying the call to remove Cuba from this list, and to end the blockade once and for all. Despite the challenges, we remain resilient and I am pleased to mention that Cuba has formally applied to join the BRICS group. The BRICS nations represent a new frontier of economic and political cooperation that challenges the dominance of US imperialism and promotes a more just and multipolar world. Joining the BRICS is not only an opportunity for Cuba to expand its economic ties, but also a demonstration of our commitment to solidarity with the Global South.
We are following in the footsteps of Fidel and Chavez, who worked tirelessly for the unity of Latin America and the creation of a multipolar world. They understood that our liberation from US imperialism would come through solidarity, cooperation and resistance. Che Guevara once said that the true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love. It is this love for our peoples, for our sovereignty and for justice that drives us forward. It is this revolutionary spirit that continues to guide Cuba as we confront the ongoing challenges posed by imperialism. As we discuss the struggle for socialism, it’s important to understand that this struggle is international. At this moment, we cannot ignore the ongoing tragedy in Palestine.
The genocide suffered by the Palestinian people at the hands of Israeli apartheid is a clear manifestation of imperialism and colonialism. As Fidel Castro once said, the cause of Palestine is the cause of all the oppressed people of the world. It is our responsibility as revolutionaries to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in its just struggle for freedom, dignity and self-determination.
In this spirit of international solidarity, I want to express my deep gratitude to all of you who have stood with Cuba during our most difficult times. Together, we are building bridges of solidarity that strengthen the bonds between our peoples. Solidarity is more than words. It is deeds. It is campaigns to remove Cuba from social unjust lists, like being designated a state sponsor of terrorism. It is the demand to end the blockade. And it is the grassroots movements that continue to grow and support our people. Your actions remind us that a better world is possible. And together we will continue to fight for it no matter what.
FIGHT RACISM! FIGHT IMPERIALISM! 303 December 2024/January 2025
– Fight racism! Fight imperialism! Fight for socialism! – RCG National weekend
– Communists and anti-imperialists on the march in London
