History's Vindication: Commemorating Moncada in 2016

- Isaac Saney, National Spokesperson, Canadian Network On Cuba -

July 26th, 2016 marks the 63rd anniversary of the act that is annually commemorated all over Cuba as the beginning of the movement and struggle that laid the foundation of the Cuban Revolution. On July 26th, 1953, a group of courageous young men and women -- led by Cuba's former president, 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.

by Arnold August

Much has been written and said about Obama’s trip to Cuba in the context of the developing Cuba–US relations. One of the themes deals with the historic nature of the trip. Some commentators say that it was historic. Others are somewhat less attracted to this analysis, indicating that the new Obama policy is merely a change in tactics in order to achieve its strategic goal of destroying the Cuban Revolution. Thus, this approach argues, the visit is not worthy of being described as historic. Perhaps both arguments have their merits. Yet, there is another angle that suggests that, yes, it was indeed historic.

by Fidel Castro Ruz

The kings of Spain brought us the conquistadores and masters, whose footprints remained in the circular land grants assigned to those searching for gold in the sands of rivers, an abusive and shameful form of exploitation, traces of which can be noted from the air in many places around the country.

Arnold August - 15/03/2016 - In the context of developing Cuba-US relations, on March 2, 2016 in Geneva, the Deputy secretary of State of the US State Department, Antony J. Blinken, issued the National Statement at the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. In this statement he indicated that Obama during his visit to Cuba in March “will emphasize that the Cuban people are best served by an environment where people are free to choose their political parties and their leaders...”