Cuban graduates recognize the passing of a great world leader

Editor: It is with profound sorrow and pain that we – the Cuban Graduates of St Vincent and the Grenadines – learn of the passing of the Commander-in-Chief and indomitable leader of the Cuban Revolu­tion, Fidel Castro Ruz. We take this opportunity to extend our sincerest condolences to the Govern­ment and heroic people of Cuba in this time of grief and national mourning.{{more}}

The grief we feel today is multiplied when we recognize the immense contribution that Fidel has made towards the advancement of the cause of the poor and lesser developed countries the world over. Arguably, for most of us, our dreams of academic and professional accomplishments would not have been realized or made possible were it not for Fidel and by extension a popular people’s Revolution in 1959. We owe much to the generosity and immense sacrifice of the Cuban people and its indefatigable leader Fidel.

We have absolutely no doubt that Fidel’s work and contribution will forever be remembered and will continue to inspire several generations to come. How history defines his legacy will never be determined by what his detractors cowardly propagate through the western media. His legacy will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of all those lives that were positively impacted by Cuba’s internationalist and humani­tarian interventions. Among these will be the contribution of Cuba to the liberation of Southern Africa from the scourges of apartheid.

Being the brainchild of Fidel, Cuba opened its doors uninterruptedly for more than three decades to tens of thousands of young people from all parts of the world, offering them hope and the opportunity to obtain a tertiary education gratis that otherwise would not have been remotely possible for the vast majority. This profound gesture of human solidarity – forged in the context of a most pernicious economic blockade – must go down in history as one of the most significant acts of liberation and international solidarity.

The best tribute that we can pay to Fidel’s memory will be to utilize our academic talents and educational achievements in the service of humanity, especially the less fortunate. His work is a worthy example that we should all strive to emulate as he taught us that “to live is to give” from what little we have without expecting much in return. This legacy we must pass to our children and grand-children and encourage them that when they grow up to be like Fidel.

Long live the memories and ideas of Fidel!

Long live the Cuban Revolution!

Our hearts go out to the Cuban People at this time of mourning!

Bernard Hamilton

Representative of Cuban Graduates of SVG