Cuba – the island of hope and humaneness
Article by Costas Koukos, member of the C.C. of AKEL
27nd March 2020, ‘HARAVGI’ newspaper
In these difficult unprecedented times humanity is going through everyone is measured by their stature, culture and humanitarian actions.
Its the time when practical deeds determine whether theory has a value.
In a world where the pandemic is spreading out of control and immobilizing even the most powerful “players” in international developments, at the same time as entire countries, governments and coalitions are not assuming their own responsibilities.
At the same as there is an attempt for the slogan “everyone for him/herself” to take root, thankfully examples of a humane approach, solidarity and compassion do exist that keep the window of hope open, which again gives meaning to all the oppressed to again find perhaps missing reasons to wage struggles.
Doctors, nurses, medical staff everywhere are waging a tough battle, a battle for life in adverse conditions.
All of a sudden the international ruling class – which closed down hospitals and turned public health from a right to a commodity – in fleeting moments of reflection recognises as heroes all those who until very recently it was denigrating, defaming and abandoning.
However, there is indeed a special example of state solidarity, but also self-sacrifice. Thankfully we have the example of Cuba.
A small country with years of manifold problems; a country that has been blockaded from everywhere for many years.
A country that the US imperialists have characterised as EVIL.
An island that for decades now is a victim of the imperialist plans seeking to destroy it by all means possible because it ruins the prevailing narrative about “the paradise of capitalism”.
CUBA, this small island of a genuine popular revolution with the highest level of medical science is responding and providing assistance all over the world.
Cuba declares its readiness to provide every country in need with the vaccines it has developed to confront the pandemic.
Cuba is sending volunteers, doctors and nurses to the front line in Italy where so many people are dying. A few years ago they were also sent to Africa and successfully fought the battle against Ebola.
Cuba is helping a country which until very recently its extreme-right government fervently supported the measures drafted aiming to exterminate and further strangle the Cuban people.
Cuba is helping an entire people in its time of need. It does not hide behind any petty-political considerations or distances. It does not take into account who is in government and which political agenda governments represent.
This solidarity becomes a living reality at the same time as Italy’s EU Partners are merely expressing their supposed empathy with it and praying for its “salvation”.
Really, where is Europe, the European Central Bank, the IMF and NATO? Once again, they are not moved by the sacrifice of millions of people.
Cuba, in contrast to a series of countries of the so-called developed West that are sealing their borders today, is opening its own doors to help those stranded at sea that needed help.
The British cruise ship that was roaming around for several days with 1,000 passengers without any port willing to receive it is just one recent example of Cuba’s solidarity.
Cuba responded immediately to Britain’s request and helped to their repatriation.
Can one imagine what would have happened if things had been the other way around? What would have been the attitude of the British Government?
This is Cuba!
Socialist Cuba, the country of revolutionary solidarity in practice and internationalism.
The country of Commandante Fidel and the fiery revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevera.
The country that stands upright despite all the dirty war waged against it.
The shining example for all the peoples in need that want things to change today.
The country that reminds us of the value of humaneness and internationalism!
