By Armaan Solkar
To our Cuban comrades across the Atlantic we extend a fraternal hand tinged with envy. We look at Cuba as a shining beacon of development and socialist realisation. From the eradication of illiteracy to being in the forefront of medical care and vaccine development, Cuba shows the international working class a life that awaits us and a future that remains firmly in our hands. “Patria o Muerte”, or “Homeland or Death”, exclaimed Fidel Castro to a crowd haunted by US imperialism. A few months later, he added the phrase “Venceremos”, or “We Will Prevail”. Castro’s certainty and heroic spirit echoes the determination of the Cuban people in their fight against US imperialism, which still rages on. Never has US monopoly capital relented in its war against Cuba. In 1960, America welcomed the burgeoning socialist state with a trade war. This was in response to Cuba nationalising its industries and giving power to the
Never has US monopoly capital relented in its war against Cuba. In 1960, America welcomed the burgeoning socialist state with a trade war. This was in response to Cuba nationalising its industries and giving power to the workers. The trade war which began with Eisenhower slashing Cuban imports and cutting off diplomatic ties, developed into a decades long blockade under Kennedy. The effects of this blockade has been devastating for the Cuban people. All aspects of life are affected; health, education, access to even basic food and provisions, as well sports and culture. Child healthcare suffers particularly as most of the specialist equipment required comes from the US.
Despite the unrelenting force of US capital, Cuba paves the path forward for its people. Cuba was the first country in the world to eliminate mother to child HIV transmission; they dramatically lowered infant mortality rates; and have made staggering developments in vaccine care. All this has been achieved through the socialist organisation of their country that puts the wellbeing and safety of its people over all else.
Venceremos. Cuba thrives in spite of constant attack. Bourgeois media points out the struggles of the Cuban people and places the blame not on the decades long trade war but instead constructs some dystopian idea of socialism. Cuba’s government is the people, and it works for the people.
To become a member of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC), all one must do is be nominated by their neighbours and be voted in at their local branch. Participation in democracy is easy, transparent, and available to all. Cuba has multiple mass organisations, such as the Cuban Women’s Federation, and trade unions such as the Cuba Workers Federation. Almost every Cuban is part of one of the many mass organisations where debate is had over legislation and policies.
Every person has the opportunity and means to engage in local and national politics. This is in stark contrast to liberal “democracies” such as Ireland, where there are hardly any means for the average worker to make their voice heard; and when we try to do so by means of unionising or protest, we are shut down and brutalised. Irish democracy is built for the capitalists, landlords, and serves the interests of international capital. It is no wonder that a system built to oppress the working class doesn’t give power to the worker.
‘History, in general, treats the working class as the manipulator of politics treats the working man – that is to say, with contempt when he remained passive, and with derision, hatred and misrepresentation whenever he dares evince a desire to throw off the yoke of political or social servitude’ – James Connolly
The bourgeois media attempts to paint the Cuban revolution as a despotic attempt to grab power by a bunch of radicals. This interpretation is so starkly askew from reality that it might as well be a comedy. Cuba thrives and it will continue to thrive. The Irish Communist movement must learn all it can from the island across the Atlantic and apply it to ours. We must not ignore the hardships of the Cuban people under attack from foreign capital because they are our hardships. We must stand in solidarity with Cuba.
In 2023, the CYM delivered vital medical aid to Cuba on a two week brigade organised by the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples. This year, all throughout the month of July we will run outreach stalls collecting essential supplies such as: baby formula, bottles, and bandages all across the country. We will also be running fundraising events such as a film screening in Dublin of ‘Yo Soy Cuba’
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The CYM remains dedicated to helping our comrades in any way we can. The working class movement is – and can only be – the international working class movement.