AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou congratulatory message on the 65th anniversary of the victory of the Cuban Revolution to the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba Comrade Miguel Diaz-Canel
1 January 2024
“On the occasion of the 65th Anniversary of the victory of the Cuban Revolution, I extend to you and through you to the Communist Party, the Cuban people and Government, militant greetings and congratulations on behalf of the Central Committee of AKEL and personally myself.
The 65th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution is commemorated in a difficult international context, where international law and UN resolutions are being flagrantly violated; where the fundamental human rights and freedoms of entire peoples are completely disregarded. Before the eyes of humanity double standards has become the prevailing dogma of the mighty who use their military power to impose their will. Plundering the natural wealth and resources of other peoples has become a normal practice by the US and their NATO allies.
Israel’s war in Gaza, which is bordering genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people, is unfolding before the eyes of the International community that has so far proven unable to stop this massive crime. The termination of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital is more than an urgency. Our region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East is faced with a sharp increase of military presence that threaten to engulf the whole area into a generalized conflict.
Under these conditions, we highly evaluate Cuba’s role in the Group of 77 rallying forces in defence of peoples’ national and social rights, of peace and the future of our planet.
The fact that the 63-years-long illegal and criminal economic, commercial and financial US blockade against Cuba has proven incapable to bending the heroic Cuban people’s will, is by itself a proof of how genuine this Revolution is. And that despite the enormous difficulties the inhuman blockade creates to the people’s daily lives, and the constant attempts by the US to attack the Revolution by all means. A Revolution inspired by Jose Marti, led by Fidel and his comrades, deeply rooted in the people and defended by the heroic Cuban men and women. A Revolution that 65 years on keeps inspiring peoples around the globe that struggle for their freedom and a better future.
On this occasion, I reiterate AKEL’s unwavering solidarity with the Cuban people, demanding the termination of the illegal blockade as demanded by repeated UNGA resolutions, and the removal of Cuba from the immoral US list of “states sponsoring terrorism”. Cuba’s moral standards and internationalism continue to stand out as a beacon of freedom and struggle. The Cuban people has every right to pursue the path of development it has chosen without any foreign intervention or threat.
I take the opportunity to express our gratitude for Cuba’s consistent position based on principles in support of the end of the Turkish occupation of 37% of Cyprus, and the peaceful reunification of Cyprus and its people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, under a bizonal bicommunal federation, with political equality as defined by the UN. We remember and cherish the common struggles and achievements of the Non-Aligned Movement of which Cuba and Cyprus were founding members.
Dear Comrade Diaz-Canel,
Once again receive our warmest congratulations on this 65th Anniversary and our wishes for further achievements and victories.”
