Speech by Evo Morales Ayma, President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, during the presentation ceremony of the José Martí Order, in Havana, May 20, 2016, “Year 58 of the Revolution”.
(Council of State transcript / GI translation)
Brother Raúl, President of the Republic of Cuba;
Vice presidents;
Brother Foreign Ministers;
Ministers;
Ministers accompanying me at this ceremony;
Commanders of the Armed Forces;
Special guests;
Friends from the press and all the Cuban people:
First, I was surprised by this recognition. On behalf of the Bolivian people and on behalf of our social movements I say: thank you, brother President, for this highest decoration of José Martí, our lifelong leader.
I was also taken aback, as always, by all the solidarity of the Cuban people. Thanks to your Revolution, thanks to the unity of the Cuban people we are where we are, if not many countries, some countries, with anti-imperialist governments.
Cuba, for the social movements of Bolivia and especially for me, has always been a source of inspiration in this struggle for the liberation of our peoples. As a trade union leader we fought against a colonial state; now as President I represent the Plurinational State serving our people.
Cuba is an example of unity, of anti-imperialist struggle; Cuba for me is a model socialist country for all countries of the world. The legacy of the Cuban people, and not only of the Cuban people, of this Revolution, is health and education. I am amazed by all the cooperation you and your people undertake with the whole world.
This asset of the Cuban people, of health and education, a product of the Revolution, I believe in its value as a model of services as regards health and education for the peoples of the world.
Our respect and admiration for brother Fidel. I believe that this generation, we were the children, grandchildren, in times of the colony, of Tupac Katari, Tomás Katari, of Amaru, of so many indigenous leaders. But in these times, the times of the Republic, we are the children and grandchildren of Fidel Castro. He bequeathed us a great fight.
You are aware of the respect, affection and admiration we have for Fidel, for you, brother Raúl, and the entire Cuban people.
Just as before the foundation of the republics, there were fighters for independence and perhaps some others joined the guerrillas, for the liberation of other peoples, at least I would say: I am of the anti-imperialist conferences in Cuba, from the period of the 1990s , so many conferences in the convention hall here in Cuba, as a great lesson I shared the struggle of the peoples, the anti-imperialist doctrines of union leaders, of leaders of social movements, but also of political leaders. This is why, brother Raúl, for the Cuban people, always, our respect, our admiration.
I never thought I would be honored here. I remember when I was starting out as a union leader that I so wanted to learn about Cuba, and there were some people who recommended: “If you go to Cuba, it is forbidden to have an immigration stamp from Cuba. If there is a stamp from Cuba in your passport, you will be banned worldwide.” That is over. Now it is actually a luxury to have a stamp of the Cuban people in our passports.
We mentioned a moment ago, I fully agree, that the United States tried to isolate Cuba; by trying to isolate Cuba, the United States has isolated itself, because everyone is with Cuba. How life changes, how times change.
I am sure we're in different times; but we are also convinced, brother Raúl, that there are some outstanding issues in America, regardless of economic issues, beyond cultural, social, ideological issues, there are the geographical issues. Bolivia still has a claim regarding the issue of the sea just as Cuba has an outstanding matter with the U.S.: Guantánamo. I am almost convinced that there will be, sooner or later, an anti-capitalist president in the United States, and the day there is an anti-capitalist president in the United States, Guantánamo will surely be returned to the Cuban people. Just as there will be an anti-imperialist prime minister in England, and the Malvinas will also be returned to Argentina or Latin America.
These pending issues in geographical terms are a political, ideological, programmatic and cultural matter; but it is also important to recognize, brother Raúl, I am sure, that this integration process is the one dreamed of by our brother Fidel. I remember, after we consolidated the CELAC, that he called me to express great excitement regarding this great integration of CELAC; the presidents of today and future presidents can never abandon this great work of Lula, Kirchner, Hugo Chávez, of Fidel, and other presidents, these are integration processes for the liberation of Latin America.
Therefore, greetings to Fidel; to you, Raúl, many thanks for this recognition, a recognition of the struggle of the peoples of Bolivia, the indigenous, workers, campesino movement, all social sectors. We understand how important unity has been for the liberation of our peoples.
Again, many thanks, Raúl, thank you very much to all of you.
All the best, congratulations.
While capitalism exists the struggle will continue toward the definitive liberation of the peoples of the world.
Thank you (Applause).
