57th anniversary of Victory of Cuban Revolution
One more year, one more milestone, one more step towards the fulfilment of the noble goals of the Cuban people.
It is in this context that we of the St Vincent and the Grenadines/Cuba Friendship Society greet the 57th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban people and this joint activity commemorating the birth of Cubaâs National hero, Jose Marti.{{more}}
This year as we in SVG join the Cuban people in their celebrations, we have particular reason to be grateful. The year 2016 is the year when our long-desired dream of an international airport, being constructed at Argyle, is due for fulfilment, opening a new chapter in our lives and many more possibilities for social and economic development.
This would not have been possible without the tremendous contribution and selflessness of the Cuban people and government. It would not have been possible without the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, as indeed would not have been the international airport built with Cuban assistance in our sister island of Grenada.
These acts of international solidarity are bedrocks of the principles of the Cuban Revolution, founded on those lofty principles enunciated by Jose Marti and put into practice by Commander Fidel Castro, President Raul Castro and the Cuban Government and people.
Today we laud them for that and the many other acts of solidarity which have given us a solid tertiary-trained core of professionals, which have literally opened the eyes of hundreds of Vincentians and assisted us in many other ways. Not even in Cubaâs worst days of the “special periodâ did it renege on its commitments to our people. We will always remember that!
As we join you in your celebrations today, as we rejoice in the steps taken towards normalization of relations in this hemisphere, including between the neighbouring Republics of the USA and Cuba, we are nevertheless mindful that the unjust blockade remains in place, that Guantanamo continues to be occupied and that sovereign countries are being punished for trading with Cuba.
These continued remainders of hostile acts must stop and relations be placed on the basis of respect for the right of every nation to pursue its own path to socio-economic development.
We reiterate our support for these principles, even as we congratulate the Cuban people and government and join them today in commemorating Martiâs birth and the longevity of the Cuban Revolution. We will continue to work for eternal friendship and solidarity between our two peoples.
Renwick Rose
SVG/CUBA Friendship Society
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