Early this morning, Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel exercised his right to vote at polling station no.1 in the Havana municipality of Playa’s constituency no.6, commenting to the press that the mid-term elections are taking place during historic times, with a number of important events occurring, such as negotiations to reestablish diplomatic relations with the United States; the dignified participation of Cuba in the recent Summit of the Americas in Panama; and efforts to build solidarity with Venezuela given U.S. aggression against this sister country.
Photo: Juvenal Balán
“We were watching the news early today and I noted how many people were voting, especially young people. I don’t believe one can separate the attitude one has as a person, as a revolutionary or as a citizen in an act like voting, when a group of feelings are combined and reflected at a time like this.
“I believe that over the last few months we have experienced very significant moments, symbolic for the Revolution, which are part of its history, beginning with the return of the Five to the homeland, and continuing with the dialogue between Cuba and the U.S. directed toward normalization of relations, and the forceful speech given by our President in Panama, where an attempt was made to discredit the authentic participation of our civil society,” Díaz-Canel said.
He added that during these events, with President Raúl Castro and others providing leadership, it was possible to make Cuba’s reality and motivations known, with the support of the Cuban people and international solidarity.
“Full of emotion, one comes as a citizen to take a position, that of electing the best person to lead the government, or the work in a community or constituency.
“We come to exercise a right of citizenship, but also to fulfill a duty which includes a quota of responsibility. You vote with commitment, you take a position, and come to reaffirm the joy we feel for all we have experienced. Today’s election day is a ratification of the Cuban people’s support for the Revolution… and those of us voting here today will be doing the same as we march on May Day.”
Referring the recent Summit of the Americas in Panama, he commented, “There was a well-documented manipulation, an attempt to favor the presence of illegitimate representatives of Cuban civil society, while at the same time, representatives from the U.S. like Occupy Wall Street or Afro-Americans were not included. There was an obvious attempt to discredit Cuba and Venezuela. I believe the response of our people, far from being rude or vulgar as some may have thought and tried to convey, was very dignified, and led by many young people.
“Cuba triumphed in the business forum and that of youth, in which our country was able to share its accomplishments, its principles, in which we were well-received and it was possible to hold a dialogue. The Summit was Cuba, Raúl, the Revolution, and it showed that we can discuss with respect and address any issue whatsoever. And that we will always defend our positions in a measured fashion.”
Regarding the process of reestablishing relations with the United States, Díaz-Canel commented, “Remember that, during the Summit of the Americas, the process was threatened by the U.S. government’s position toward Venezuela and Raúl said that we were not going to leave this nation alone, but rather that we would support the Bolivarian cause as we would support any other Latin American cause. This is a negotiation not a mediation, in which we make clear that there are principles which do not enter into this negotiation.
“The naval base in Guantánamo must be discussed… We have expressed our willingness to advance in the process as long as a bilateral posture of respect is maintained, without affecting our sovereign interests.”
