More than a week after the death of Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, important figures, global communities, and media outlets continue to highlight the legacy of the leader of the Cuban Revolution and Cubans’ commitment to his ideas.
A crowd of people gathered in the French capital to reaffirm their decision to continue struggling for just cases, guided by Fidel Castro’s thought.
There in Paris’ José Martí square, French, Latin American and Cuban citizens noted that despite the death of the Comandante, his legacy will live on and accompany the struggles of the nation and those of peoples across the world, reported Prensa Latina.
Didier Philippe, president of the Cuba-France Solidarity Association, stated that “This immense man will always be remembered as a key actor of the 20th century, and defender of oppressed peoples in Latin America, Africa and Asia.”
Meanwhile, French intellectual Paul Estrade highlighted Fidel’s efforts to secure Cuba’s independence, return dignity to his people, and guarantee important rights such as access to healthcare and education.
Numerous tributes have been held across the European nation since the Comandante’s death, last November 25, to commemorate the mark left by the leader on thousands of French citizens.
On December 4, the Cuba solidarity movement in Spain also held a public tribute to bid farewell to the revolutionary leader, whose ashes were laid to rest the same day in Santiago de Cuba’s Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, but whose legacy will forever remain in our collective memory.
”He leaves a work. He leaves an honorable, noble, courageous and solidary people,” stated Cuban Ambassador to Spain Eugenio Martínez, after expressing thanks for the numerous expressions of respect and admiration which have been arriving to the Embassy over the past week.
For his part, Comandante José Luis Merino, a Salvadoran revolutionary and one of the founders of the Farabundo Martí Front for National Liberation (FMLN), noted that dignity is one of Fidel Castro’s most important lessons.
Speaking with Prensa Latina, he emphasized the significance of Fidel in El Salvador’s revolutionary process.
“He helped us to develop our political-military thought so that the FMLN not only functioned as a military guerilla force, but also as a political force, and above all a force of great humanity,” he added.
Meanwhile, governor of the Venezuelan state of Yaracuy, Julio León Heredia, awarded the Cuban revolutionary the Ezequiel Zamora General of the Sovereign People Order, also on December 4. Heredia visited the Cuban Embassy in Caracas to present to posthumous honor to Fidel.
Speaking to the press, the official noted that the Order, the highest distinction awarded by the north-central state, represents a gesture of gratitude for the legacy Fidel left to Venezuela and the peoples of the world.
From Vietnam, representatives of the Cuba Friendship Association recognized the work of the man who will always be remembered in that nation as a true friend.
In Santiago de Chile thousands of citizens gathered together at the José Martí monument in the capital’s central Plaza Italia, December 4, where participants paid a moving tribute to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution.
Speaking to PL, Javiera Olivares, president of the Journalists Association in Chile, noted that although the passing of the Comandante represents a sad moment, Fidel leaves an extraordinary legacy for the people of the world.
We will always remember him by continually reviewing his writings, his speeches, and his skill as a visionary, his example for all of humanity, stated Olivares.
“Hasta siempre Comandante, immortal example in the heart of Chileans,” could be read on a screen during the activity which saw the participation of the Nicaraguan Ambassador to Chile, María Luisa Robleto and various leftist political leaders, Cubans living in Chile, doctors, professionals and Chilean trade unionists.
Fidel Castro represents the Latin American revolution, he was a man that persevered and achieved his goals based on maintaining his principles and values, stated Bolivia’s Minister of Economy, Luis Arce, speaking with PL at the Cuban Embassy in La Paz.
For us Bolivians Fidel is an example to follow and we will remember him as we build this new socialist homeland in Bolivia, he stated.
The International press also highlighted the patriotic fervor of Cubans who took to the streets with flags, doves, handkerchiefs, and signs, to bid farewell to the eternal Comandante.
According to Mexican newspaper La Jornadathe mass mobilization of Cubans in honor of Fidel not only represented a people in mourning but also hope.
The paper reported that “the vast majority of those who came out to pay tribute in a long period of national mourning, were born or grew up after the arrival of the revolutionaries to Havana in 1959. They are the children of the democratic, anti-imperialist, and anti-Batista Revolution and participated in the heroic efforts to build socialism only a few kilometers from the empire.”
The article went on to note that Fidel Castro’s ashes were laid to rest in Santiago de Cuba’s Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, close to the site where the remains of poet and National Hero José Martí – of whom Fidel is considered a successor - are buried.
Meanwhile, on its website, multi-state news broadcaster teleSUR, posted the remarks made by Army General Raúl Castro, President of the Councils of State and Ministers at the tribute ceremony held on December 3, in Santiago’s Antonio Maceo Plaza de la Revolución, during which he noted that “the undefeated Fidel brings us together with his example that yes, it was possible, yes, it will be possible!”
The news agency also reported that in addition to José Martí, Fidel’s ashes rest beside those of the father of the homeland Carlos Manuel de Céspedes; as well as a plethora of heroes and martyrs from almost a century-and-a-half of struggles for Cuban liberty and dignity.
Chilean weekly El Siglo, official organ of the Communist Party of Chile Central Committee, dedicated an entire edition to the figure of the Comandante en Jefe.
The 20 page publication included details of the revolutionary’s work. With headlines such as “Fidel: the man-the history,” With “One of ours has passed,” and “Fidel eternal paradigm and legend,” the paper retraced various facets of the life of the founder of the Cuban Revolution.
Meanwhile, German news agency DPA, reported on the thousands of citizens from Santiago de Cuba and other eastern provinces who gathered on December 3, in Antonio Maceo Plaza de la Revolución, where continual shouts in support of the Revolution could be heard.
” Hasta la victoria siempre” was one of the main headlines on the front page of Argentine newspaper Página 12, which highlighted one of the most moving moments in the Plaza, when Raúl, quoting Antonio Maceo, stated, “Whoever attempts to conquer Cuba, will gather the dust of her blood-soaked soil, if he does not perish in fight!” (GI news staff)
