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Further Reading

The Cuban Revolution

Once installed in power, the Revolutionary Government started to dismantle all the neo-colonial political system. Repressive institutions were dissolved and, for the first time, the citizens were guaranteed the full exercise of their rights. Public administration was cleaned and all misappropriated properties and wealth were confiscated, thus eliminating such practice from the republican life. Batista's supporters and criminals were tried and sentenced. Corruption was also swept from the leadership of the working movement and political parties that had served and helped the tyranny were dissolved.

The designation of Fidel Castro as Prime Minister in February would accelerate the adoption of measures for the benefit of the people. A reduction of house rents was passed, private beaches were placed at the disposal of the people and companies that monopolized public services were nationalized. A transcendental landmark during this period was the Agrarian Reform Act, passed on May 17. This would definitely eliminate large estates through the nationalization of all properties over 420 ha and granted the ownership over the land to thousands of peasants who had been sharecroppers or leaseholders.

This measure, which banished one of the strongest supports of the neocolonial system, caused the heated response of the affected persons. The US government had not concealed its disagreement with the triumph of the revolution and, promoting an ill intentioned press campaign, adopted a policy of systematic harassment against Cuba, encouraging and giving support to counterrevolutionary movements with the purpose of destabilizing the country. In July, the obstacles created by the President Manuel Urrutia against the revolutionary transformations caused Fidel Castro's resignation from his post of Prime Minister. A few days later, Fidel Castro would return to his position due to popular demonstrations on his support and at the same time determined the resignation of president Urrutia and his substitution by Osvaldo Dorticós. In October, military sedition is aborted in Camagüey, concocted by the military chief of the place, Commander Hubert Matos in open agreement with landowners and other local counterrevolutionary elements. Meanwhile, sabotage and terrorism began to kill innocent victims.

To fight against the wave of counterrevolutionary activities, the National Revolutionary Militia Troops and the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution were created. These two organizations, together with the Cuban Women Federation and the Association of Young Rebels and other organizations created during the next few months would allow a wider participation of the people in the defense of the Revolution. US permanent hostility is implemented in several successive steps aimed at destabilizing the Cuban economy and isolating the country from the international community. The Revolution responds to all these measures with a dynamic foreign policy that widens its relationships and agreements with other countries, including socialist countries. This was proof of the strong decision on the part of the Revolution to break with the traditional commercial dependence. In August 1960, after the decision by the government in Washington to cancel the sugar quota, Fidel Castro announces the nationalization of all US properties in the Island. A few months after, this measure would be followed by the decision to nationalize all the companies of the Cuban bourgeoisie that had finally sided with the US and with the sectors of the oligarchy and had also helped systematically to all actions aimed at economic sabotage and decapitalization.

Nevertheless, US aggressions were not limited to the economy. While encouraging the creation of counterrevolutionary organizations and groups of bandits fighting in different regions of the country to which the US supplied arms and other needs, the Eisenhower Administration breaks relationships with Cuba and starts the preparation of a mercenary force to invade the country. The invasion would begin on April 17 through Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs) two days after the surprise bombing of several airforce bases and airports. In the burial of the victims from this attack, Fidel Castro proclaimed the socialist character of the Revolution, something that could be said by the measures and steps adopted during the last months of 1960. In less than 72 hours, the invading force that the CIA had spent months to prepare was defeated. In spite of this historic defeat, the US did not stop in its ambitions of crushing the Cuban Revolution. The objective of "Mongoose Plan" was a succession of aggressions, not discarding direct military intervention. This would lead to a serious international crisis in October 1962, when installation of soviet missiles in the Island became known. The compromise to put an end to the crisis did not stop the aggressive practices of the imperialism.

Likewise, the decisive attitude of our people, organized in the National Revolutionary Militia Troops and in the Armed Forces, made possible the fight and eventual defeat of the counterrevolutionary armed bands. Bandits were eliminated in 1965, when the last band operating in the country under the command of Juan Alberto Martínez Andrade was captured on July 4. Other bandits, who were dispersed, tried to escape from revolutionary justice, but were captured in the following months. This would finally put an end to the dirty covert war unleashed against the Cuban people by imperialism and reactionary classes. The armed struggle against bandits lasted seven years and affected all the seven provinces in the country.

Between 1959 and 1965 in this war imposed by the US operated in all the national territory 299 bands with a total of 3,995 members. There were 549 victims among the soldiers of the regular troops and the members of the militia including victims of the crimes perpetrated by the bandits against the civilians. Many other victims were disabled. During all those years, so difficult for the Cuban economy, the country was forced to spend about 100,000,000 pesos.

The combination of military actions and political ideological actions played a decisive role in the victory over the bandits. Their defeat showed it was impossible to win over the armed people when they are part of an authentic revolution.

In the international arena the US managed to get Cuba separated from the Organization of American States, as well as to force most Latin American nations with the honorable exception of Mexico. However, the Cuban Revolution was strengthening its links with the socialist countries and with other Third World countries. Cuba then participates as founding member in the creation of the Non-Aligned Movement and develops an active policy of solidarity and support to all national liberation movements.

The nation that was resisting direct-armed aggression was to survive also economic siege. The US had suspended all trade with Cuba and at the same time was doing everything in its power to involve other countries in such a criminal blockade. Cuba was thus deprived of supplies vital for its agriculture and its industry. Nevertheless, the active solidarity displayed by the Soviet Union and other socialist countries, together with the tremendous efforts of the Cuban people enabled the economy not only to function but also to grow.

In the midst of critical economic difficulties, we managed to eliminate unemployment and meet first priority needs of the population. A comprehensive campaign against illiteracy was implemented in 1961 to teach all the people how to read and write. Though professionals and technicians were exiting the country encouraged from the US, especially those in the health sector, the creation of a rural health care considerably improved health care in the country, as it brought medical attention to the farthest corners of the nation. The educational system covers, also for the first time in history all the national territory. A comprehensive program of scholarships, grants and boarding schools facilitate access of the vast masses to all levels of education, including higher education. An important work of cultural broadcasting improved the quality of life by edition of literary works -- generally mass edition -- the creation of many artistic groups, and the promotion of a wide movement of amateur groups of artists. Also production and exhibition of Cuban films and films from other countries was an important aspect for the cultural development of the Cuban people. Generalized practice of sports increased the participation -- outstanding participation -- of the Cubans in international sports events.

Such popular effort would not have been possible without an adequate political leadership. From the very beginning of the Revolution, revolutionary organizations would implement -- with some difficulties -- a comprehensive integrating work. In March 1962, after Fidel Castro denounced sectarian deformations within the process, the future Partido Unido de la Revolución Socialista (United Party of the Socialist Revolution) would determine as an essential condition for membership exemplarity of the workers proposed to become members. The constitution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party in 1965 as the highest organ of direction of the Revolution would be a decisive landmark for the unity in the country.

In 1963, taking into consideration the characteristics of the Cuban economy and the perspective commercial relations with the USSR and other socialist countries, the leadership of the Revolution adopted a new strategy for economic development. The pivot of the country's economy would be agriculture and the first priority task would be the production of 10 million tons of sugar by 1970. This was undoubtedly an enormous challenge baring in mind the organizational, material and technical conditions existing in the country at the time. In facing this challenge, serious distortions appeared in the direction of economic processes and in the activities of revolutionary organizations, which were focusing in the mobilization of the vast mass of workers required because of the poor technical development of sugar agriculture and because of disproportional demographic structures. The set back of the "10 million tons sugar harvest" would lead to a deep revision of the economic policy.

From 1971 on, revolutionary organizations are revitalized and an institutionalization of the country starts. The peak of such deep reorganization would be the First Congress of the Communist Party after a detailed analysis of all the documents by the people. On the 24 of February 1976, a new Constitution was passed by a direct and secret ballot with the vote of 95.7% of the population over 16 years of age. The various levels of the People's Power are created through the election of a delegate of constituency who would be the representative of the neighbors to the local or municipal government.

During those years, Cuba's stand in the international arena is strengthened. Diplomatic relationships are reestablished with Latin American countries like Peru, Jamaica, Panama, Chile and others, which breaks the siege imposed by the US in the previous decade. After signing several commercial agreements with the Soviet Union -- with very favorable trade conditions far from the unequal practices of the international market, -- Cuba becomes a member of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance. In 1976, Cuban troops were sent to Africa at the request of the government of Angola to help in the liberation of that country from South African intervention. Shortly after, another Cuban contingent would participate in the defense of Ethiopia from Somalia aggression. The celebration in 1979 in Havana of the sixth Summit Conference of the Non Aligned Countries is another proof of the international prestige obtained by the Revolution.

After a short period of détente during the first years of the Carter Administration, Cuban-US relations deteriorate with the increased aggressiveness of US policy at the end of that Administration.

With Reagan ascension into power, aggressions against Cuba increased to the highest point. The US government intensifies espionage against Cuba with the creation of Radio and TV Martí. Military maneuvers, rehearsals of air raids and attempts to get sanctions against Cuba in the UN Human Rights Commission are some of the activities carried put by the US. Even the possibility of a new direct military aggression was considered.

Cuba's response was the upgrading and perfecting of the overall defense system of the country and the preparation for all events under the concept of "the War of All the People."

Essentially, it consists in that each Cuban should have a position and a means in the struggle against a possible imperialist aggression. For this, the people are organized into Territorial Militia Troops, Brigades in charge of Production and Defense and Defense Zones. Cuba's quick organization and readiness to respond to direct aggression stopped imperialist intentions and plans.

After the Revolution, apart from obtaining its true independence and national dignity, Cuba eliminated all forms of exploitation and eradicated racial discrimination, discrimination against women and against youth. Other significant social achievements and economic developments were also attained.

The five-year period 1980-1985 was a period of significant developments and achievements both economic and social, even in spite of the systematic increase of the imperialistic aggressiveness and adverse climate events. However, from 1985 on, certain deficiencies and negative trends become evident, because of the incorrect implementation of the managing and planning system.

In April 1986, the President of the Councils of State and Ministers stated the need to start a process of correction of all the mistakes and negative trends aimed at solving the problems that were restraining and deforming vital and unique principles of the Cuban Revolution. Among these principles were the constant participation of the people in tasks and decisions of the revolution, the close relationship between the economic development and the social development, the creation of the new man about whom Che talked, the renovation of historic values, mainly Martí's thought and a more creative application of Marxism-Leninism.

Despite the inefficiencies and deficiencies and the need to perfect the work of socialist construction, the Cuban people had really obtained impressive conquests.

In health care, there is an integrated system ranging from primary medical care with the family or area doctor and policlinics to specialized hospitals and research centers. Gratuitous medical care is carried out through a comprehensive network including nursery schools, schools, institutions and homes.

In education, our country has the highest rates of literacy in Latin America with an average education of nine grades. There is not one single child that does not attend school. Year after year, the number of teachers and professors, researchers and doctors grows, as well as the number of professionals of university level. In 1993, the worst year of the economic crisis, the budget allocated for education was 1,384 million pesos.

Regarding sports, Cuba has placed herself among the ten top countries in the world ranking.

A special word deserves the scientific-technical development obtained that has become a vital factor for the survival of the country and of the Revolution. Important scientific research institutions had been created, for example, the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, the National Center for Scientific Research, the center for child cardiac surgery of the William Soler Pediatric Hospital (the largest in the world), the Center for Immunology Research and the Center for Neurology Transplants and Regeneration of the Nervous System.

Expression of this development is also the creation of a medical team specialized in magnetic resonance, of Evalimage a thermograph system for visualization and analysis of images and the Cuban surgical knife with the use of laser. Cuban doctors in Cuban hospitals make kidney, liver heart and heart-lung transplants. We have also made significant contributions to medicine, like the vaccine against meningitis, Cuban white-cell alpha interferon, and the discovery of a substance that cures vitiligo, the obtention of epidermis growth factor, and others.

The Revolution was immersed in the development and perfecting of its work at the time of the collapse of the socialist block and the disintegration of the USSR. These events dramatically affected the Cuban society as the Cuban economy was integrated into the socialist community. It was beside conditioned in a great measure by the stern, cruel and illegal blockade imposed by the US against Cuba since the very first years of the Revolution, which limited extraordinarily the possibilities of establishing relationships with the rest of the capitalist countries. In 1989, 85 percent of Cuba's trade relationships were carried out with the Soviet Union and the rest of the socialist world. All trade was done based on fair prices and mutually beneficial exchange, avoiding unequal the prices that characterize trade with capitalist developed countries. At the same time, there was the guaranty of transfer of technology and granting of loans at satisfactory terms and interest rates.

When socialism collapsed in Europe and after the disintegration of the USSR, Cuba's buying capacity decreased from 8,139 million pesos in 1989, to 2,000 million pesos in 1993.

The collapse of socialism in Eastern Europe and the USSR unleashed an exceptional euphoria in the US Government and the counterrevolutionary groups of Cubans in Miami. The collapse of the Cuban Revolution, the said, was a matter of days or perhaps weeks. They even started organizing a new government. However, months went by, the crisis became worse, but there was no collapse in Cuba.

As early as July 1989, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro had alerted about the possibility of the disappearance of the socialist block and even the disintegration of the USSR. In October 1990, he had elaborated the guidelines to face the crisis of the Special Period in peacetime. This concept belonged to the military doctrine of the "War of All the People" that referred to the steps needed to fight against total blockade, air raids and attacks and systematic covert attacks, as well as an open direct invasion.

In 1991, the IV Congress of the Communist Party analyzed the situation and established the need to safeguard the Motherland, the Revolution and Socialism, that is, the work of the Cuban people, which had cost so much blood, sacrifice and efforts. The Congress adopted several important measures in reference to modifications and amendments to the Constitution and Party bylaws. It also established the bases for the strategy to overcome the crisis and start the recovery from it.

The strategy implemented several measures aimed at improving economic efficiency and competitiveness and internal economic health, at solving the internal debt and reincorporating the Cuban economy into the international economy, at encouraging foreign investment, and at strengthening the system of Cuban state enterprises. This last one was a necessary and indispensable condition for socialism. Implementation and perfecting of economic changes was to be carried out in a gradual and orderly manner.

In short, the objective was to use the mechanisms of monetary-mercantile relations and of capitalist management in a controlled manner to stop the decline of the Cuban economy, to reactivate domestic economy and start the recovery, preserving, at the same time, the essential postulates of social justice and conquests of the Revolution.

Of course, US imperialism and the Cuban counterrevolutionary groups in Miami, annoyed by the reality of Cuban resistance, increased their actions to discredit and destabilize the Revolution and to make the economic blockade even worse.

Thus, by the middle of 1992 the US government passes the "Torricelli Act." This Act grants the President of the United States the power to implement economic measures against all countries that have economic relationships with Cuba, and forbids all Subsidiaries of Us companies in third countries to trade with the Island. This Act was another step in the intentions to make the Cuban people surrender by hunger.

However, in Spite of the Torricelli Act, Cuba expands its markets and gets some financing for specific economic activities. Companies from various nations invest in Cuba and establish economic relations with our country.

On the other hand, in February 1993, the worst year during the crisis, new elections were held. The results show unequivocally the Cuban people support to the Revolution: 99,7 per cent of the voters participated, and only 7,3 per cent annul the ballot or do not mark it.

Nevertheless, the anti Cuban groups in the US recurs to internal subversion, acts of terrorism, sabotage, infiltration of CIA agents and intensification of propaganda against Cuba. Over one thousand hours of radio broadcasts are directed against Cuba. Top priority is given to encourage illegal emigration, mostly in stolen crafts, either boats or planes.

All this activity led in July 1994 to an increase of craft abductions by persons mainly under the pressure of the economic situation, though there were some cases in which crimes and assassinations were committed. It was under these circumstances that towboat 13 de marzo was abducted and boarded by more than 60 persons with the purpose of travelling to the United States. In spite of the warnings about weather conditions and the poor sailing conditions of the craft, they went on persecuted by several other towboats. There was a collision and in the accident the 13 de marzo wrecked. All the crafts that could reach the area of the wreckage made everything in their power to rescue the people, but in spite of all their efforts some 32 persons died. This accident was used to launch a slandering campaign accusing Cuba of ordering the sinking of the small boat.

In face of the situation, the Cuban Government decided not to prevent illegal emigration forcing the US authorities to sit with Cuban authorities and start conversations on the migration problem and eventually sign a migratory agreement with Cuba. After 36 years, the US government had to adopt steps to discourage illegal immigration into the US.

In 1995, the Cuban people again gave undoubted proof of the unity and support to the Revolution in the partial elections of the People's Power voting for the delegates to Parliament. Despite the campaign of the propaganda encouraging abstention, 97,1 per cent of voters participated, 7 per cent of the votes were annulled and 4,3 per cent were not marked. This means that over 87 per cent of the voting population expressed its support to the Revolution.

The expectations of the counterrevolutionary Cuban exiles in Miami and of some sectors of the US government, after the collapse of the socialist block, failed. Nevertheless, they charged again, this time with a project more akin to the cave men: the Helms-Burton Act.

This Act is aimed at a complete and absolute economic international blockade and at preventing at all costs foreign investment in Cuba. Also it intends to stop all sorts of financing, supplies from abroad, and establishes sanctions against companies maintaining trade relations with Cuba. Apart from this, the Helms-Burton Act legalizes US support to counterrevolutionary groups in the Island and establishes the right of that country to determine what type of government, of society and relationships should have our country after the Revolution is ousted. In short, it intends to make the Cuban people surrender by hunger and annex Cuba to the United States.

After Congress passed the Act, ultra right wing groups lobbied and exerted pressure within the US Administration to sign the Act and put it into force in August that same year. To get their purpose they used the incident created by the counterrevolutionary organization "Brothers to the Rescue" on February 24 1996, when the Cuban Government shot down two airplanes that had violated several times the Cuban air space.

The Helm-Burton Act has not only been rejected by the Cuban people, but by practically all the peoples and governments of the world, and of international institutions and agencies. Proof of this is the vote against the blockade in the United Nations, the Declaration of the Organization of American States against the Helms-Burton Act, and the position of Mexico, Canada the Group of Río the European Union and others.

In spite of the negative effects generated by this Act and of the creation of a much more complex and difficult situation, Cuba has continued to implement its strategy and has managed to stop the decline of the economy and to start the gradual recovery of the Cuban economy.

On the other hand, the educational, health care and social security systems continue to exist no matter what the difficulties are. Not one Cuban has been left unprotected. In 1977, infant mortality rate was 7,3 for one thousand births, and life expectancy is now more than 75 years.

In January 1998, new elections for Parliament members were held in which 98,35 per cent of the voting population participated. Out of the total ballots, only 1,64 per cent were annulled and 3,36 per cent were not marked. The one-vote proposal (a united vote for the candidates proposed by the National Assembly of the People's Power) was accepted by 94,39 per cent of the voters.

That same month, Pope John Paul II visited Cuba. The whole people -- believers and non-believers -- offered the warmest hospitality and respect, during the welcoming ceremony, the religious services and all other activities held in Cuba. It was then evident that all the campaigns and all the propaganda against Cuba were false, for the rest of the world had the possibility to observe the freedom of His Holiness in Cuba, not only in his homilies, but also in his activities during all his visit.