- The Guardian
- Issue #2203
The CPA delegation was made up of the General Secretary Andrew Irving, Deputy General Secretary Elizabeth Hulm and Party President Vinnie Molina
Theme: ‘Defending and honouring the legacy of the Cuban Revolution on the centenary of Fidel’s birth; deepening solidarity with socialist Cuba; strengthening our joint actions; and uniting our forces for peace and against imperialist aggression’
The CPA delegation thanks the Communist Party of Cuba for hosting this important event of Communist and Workers Parties. This is being held in a historic context that demands the unity of communist forces and the unity of the people to confront the neo-fascist policies enacted by the US government. These policies have also tightened the criminal US blockade on Cuba, an act of war that punishes the Cuban people. It also criminalises international solidarity as well as left and progressive forces around the world.
This meeting coincides with the centenary of birth of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro. We join the celebrations here in Havana while millions around the world will mark the life of one of the greatest revolutionaries of the 20th century.
Fidel practiced the real concept of international solidarity; what the Cuban revolution created was shared with the peoples of the world in ways that sometimes represented the sacrifice of the entire heroic Cuban people who willingly gave their solidarity.
Doctors, teachers, engineers and other collaborators have shared their knowledge and skills wherever they were needed. Many became victims of attacks and paid with their lives, the ultimate sacrifice. In every place where Cuban collaborators have shared with the people, they have left memories and are forever missed by those who welcomed them into their countries.
Cuban solidarity never went to exploit natural resources or to take advantage of the countries where they worked.
Despite being a beacon of the hope and an example of what is possible, Cuba has always had to deliver to its people and others under the harshest blockade in history from its imperialist neighbour, the United States.
The Communist Party of Australia stands in solidarity with the Communist Party of Cuba and its leadership led by first secretary Miguel Díaz-Canel. This has been, and is, the toughest of times for any leading force to face, with the grotesque imperial attacks that for more than 60 years have made the life of the Cuban people very difficult and put obstacles in the way for Cuba’s development.
Today Cuba also faces a total oil blockade. We cannot imagine the immense difficulties this creates for the entire population. No other country has ever lived under a 60-year economic and financial blockade, let alone under the collective punishment of not receiving oil for 7 months. The consequences of those actions are seen in the daily lives of Cuban families. It affects the economy, jobs, transport, health, schools and any other human activity. The CPA condemns these acts of war against the Cuban people.
We admire the Communist Party of Cuba and its leadership for their resilience in the search for solutions to a multifaceted crisis at the centre of which is the criminal US blockade.
We don’t think we are in a position to offer criticism or alternatives on how to handle the crisis, but the CPA supports the Cuban leadership and the implementation of the decisions adopted by the Party congress and assessments in face of a political reality.
From our own observations and the information received about the circumstances created under the second Trump administration, we salute the measures taken to preserve socialism in Cuba with its own characteristics.
The international solidarity movement needs in the next period to work closely to confront the rise of fascism and the criminalisation of our activities. In this we must work as broadly as possible with all forces that stand for peace and against imperialism.
Cuba has the characteristic of uniting people across left, progressive, and democratic forces. We experience this in Australia where Cuban solidarity attracts broad sections of society and we must work without sectarianism. Unity is a must.
The defence of Cuba today is the defence of humanity.
At the same time that forces across the world have been out on the streets to stand in solidarity with the heroic Palestinian people demanding an end to the genocide of the Gazan people, we see young Palestinian doctors graduating in Cuba. Today in our countries we must stand with our young people and help them to organise the essential fight for humanity.
Australia, like many other countries where extreme right forces are gaining momentum, the ruling class and their media inflame the drive to blame migrants, particularly those from Muslim and other backgrounds, for the failures of the Australian government unable to provide decent jobs, education, health and housing for young people and aged working people who have been failed by the system.
We see a drive to fascism, war and militarism while the world is on fire. We remember today the speech by Fidel Castro, who in 1992 at the UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, raised his views on this existential crisis driven by capitalism, arguing that wealthy nations should bear the historical responsibility; warning at the same time of false green solutions.
His insight, and the link he made between environmental survival and global economic justice is even more relevant today. The people and the environment are being held to ransom by weapons manufacturers and their capitalist masters. The onus is on us all to own Fidel’s words “Enough of selfishness. Enough of schemes of domination. Enough of insensitivity, irresponsibility and deceit.”
THE WAY FORWARD
The international situation is being driven into the law of the jungle. Since the criminal attacks on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on 3 January with the kidnapping of its president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Parliamentarian Cilia Flores, the situation has changed. US imperialism and Israel attacked Iran back in February and the cost of that war is on the shoulders of all working people around the world.
Trump and Rubio have threatened the Cuban revolution, its leadership, and members of their families. This has included further sanctions to organisations, members of government and other individuals. They have also threatened the use of military action, despite the promise made during the October missile crisis to never to invade Cuba again.
The US regime sees the world’s rejection of its criminal policies on Cuba. The most recent vote at the UN demonstrated that the US can try to threaten other countries into compliance with sanctions and tariffs but the overwhelming majority remain standing with Cuba’s right to self determination and against the criminal blockade.
The communist movement must lead the struggle for peace, against racism and neocolonialism. Success demands that we remain united and determined to win.
On the centenary of Fidel Castro’s birthday, we renew our commitment to defend the Cuban revolution, fight for peace and the building of socialism with our own characteristics.
We thank comrade President Miguel Díaz-Canel and the Communist Party of Cuba for hosting the event and for standing firmly against the biggest military might 145 kilometres away from Fidel’s homeland.
Long live Cuba and its revolution!
Proletarian of all countries unite!
