Voting “Yes” for the new Constitution is an expression of support for the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela, as well, stated José Ramón Machado Ventura, second secretary of the Party Central Committee and a Political Bureau member, on February 24.
He emphasized that the Constitution is a reflection of the times, but that its content will endure for many years, “because it contains projections (for the future) on the economic, social, and political order.”
Machado cited as an example the inclusion of undeniable benefits for society at all levels, noting that individual rights are more precise, reinforced, and broadened. He said that the country’s economic model is defined for the present and the future, with the socialist nature of Cuban society and the role of the Party reaffirmed.
Before voting at polling station No. 13 in the Kohly neighborhood’s constituency No.10, he commented that the new Carta Magna benefits all sectors of society, youth, in the first place, specifically and in general terms, “because this Constitution contains a view toward the future, and not only theoretically, but with concrete arguments, it gives examples of how far we have come and where we aspire to go.”
A LEGACY FOR YOUNGER GENERATIONS
“Today we go to the polls, principally, to defend the conquests of the Cuban Revolution,” said Salvador Valdés Mesa, first vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, after being the first to vote at 7:00 am, at polling station No.1 in constituency No.59 in the Havana municipality of Playa.
“I know that a majority will approve the new law of laws, because it is a document we constructed together,” thanks to a process of popular consultation, unlike any other in the world, that was held throughout the length and breadth of the island, between the months of August and November, last year, that led to the modification of 60% of the content in the first draft, he said.
“This is a modern, updated, creative text, enriched with the opinions of all,” he noted, “that expands the rights and responsibilities of all Cubans, in line with the current context, and contains, as well, a view toward the future of our nation.”
Our support for the new Constitution will be our best tribute to the legacy of Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, Valdés Mesa stated, to the Revolution’s historic generation and all the heroes who have struggled for Cuba’s independence.
FOR AND BY THE PEOPLE
Prior to voting at polling station No.2 in constituency No.10 in the municipality of Playa, Esteban Lazo Hernández, Political Bureau member and President of the National Assembly of People’s Power, stated to the press that the new Carta Magna is “of extraordinary importance and contributes not only to the people’s participation, but is itself the product of that participation.
“The new Constitution will contribute to a new stage in the revolutionary process, to continue developing socialism, to strengthening our independence, sovereignty, and economic model. It will be a weapon for our youth,” he emphasized.
After exercising his right to vote, Political Bureau member and a vice president of the Council of State, Comandante de la Revolución Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, explained that by voting we are rejecting the United States’ warmongering policies and supporting all just causes; giving a Yes for the Revolution and its continuity. “We are voting against these imperialist policies. The U.S. wants to disrupt the Constitutional referendum process,” he explained.
At polling station No.3 in Playa municipality’s constituency No. 3, exercising her right to vote was Teresa Amarelle Boué, a member of the Party Political Bureau and president of the Federation of Cuban Women, who stated that a Yes vote for the new Constitution is the best affirmation of the continuity of Cuba’s revolutionary process, emphasizing how much of Vilma Espín’s legacy is contained within the document, much of her work in the struggle for women’s equality and Cuban families.
Roberto Morales Ojeda, a vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, talked with the press after voting at the polling station located in the Center for Sociological and Social Research, in the municipality of Plaza de la Revolución, saying, “Today, we are voting Yes to perfect socialism, to make our Constitution much more inclusive, and to be consistent with Martí’s aspiration that the first law of the Republic be devoted to the full dignity of man.”
Inés María Chapman Waugh, a vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, expressed her view that the referendum was being conducted with “full democracy. Boys and girls guarding the ballot boxes; older adults, youth, all giving their support. The Constitution is ours because it is unity.”
THE PRINCIPLES OF CUBAN FOREIGN POLICY
This Constitution reaffirms the principles of the Cuban Revolution’s foreign policy; it enriches, and modernizes our diplomacy, noted Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, after exercising his right to vote at polling station No.2 in constituency No.3 in Playa.Addressing the situation in the sister nation of Venezuela, Rodríguez Parrilla said that independence, sovereignty for all, and international law are being challenged there, and this is why we feel a deep solidarity with President Nicolás Maduro, the Chavista revolution, and with the civic-military union.Concerning Title III of the U.S. Helms-Burton Act, Rodríguez Parrilla commented that if additional blockade measures are implemented or established, we will be prepared, because our economy has broad international ties, despite the difficulties.
WITH THE SUPPORT OF WORKERS
At polling station No.1 in Playa municipality’s constituency No.5, Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, secretary general of the Cuban Workers’ Federation, gave a Yes for the new Carta Magna.
“This text, constructed by all, strengthens the role of Cuban workers in the island’s economic development. That is why I, and most Cubans, today vote Yes.“Thanks to the contributions of workers (in the popular consultation) the new Magna Carta includes a wide range of rights: access to dignified employment, vacations, social security, paid annual holidays, benefits, among others,” commented Ulises Guilarte.
THE PRIDE OF YOUNG CUBANS
I consider it a great honor to be part of this new generation of young people, responsible for ensuring the continuity of the Revolution, said Susely Morfa González, Council of State member and first secretary of the Young Communist League National Committee.That is why it was a tremendous commitment to have the opportunity to propose, comment, participate, and decide, offering opinions and considerations in the popular consultation on the draft Constitution, she stressed, moments after casting her ballot at polling station No.2 in constituency No.105, of the Armada Popular Council in Cerro.Young people have shown that we are not only exercising our right to vote and assuming tasks such as repairing tornado damage, but are ready for all that may arise, said Raúl Alejandro Palmero Fernández, Council of State member and president of the Federation of University Students (FEU).Before making clear his support for the new Constitution, at polling station No.2 in constituency No.92, in the municipality of Diez de Octubre, the loquacious student leader told the press that a few days ago he heard someone say that “Voting was a civic duty,” and he added the opinion that “Voting Yes was a patriotic duty.”
UPHOLDING THE BANNERS OF SOCIALISM
What the people of Cuba have experienced this February 24 is true democracy and citizen participation, said Luis Antonio Torres Iríbar, first secretary of the Party in Havana, after giving his Yes for the Constitution at polling station No. 3 in constituency No.57 in Playa.“In the wake of the tornado that hit the capital, today we are voting for the Constitution, precisely so that the people, facing the future, continue to have the help and support of the Revolution and never feel abandoned; so that there is always hope,” he stressed.Torres Iríbar noted that progress is being made on the recovery in Havana. He spoke of the recent awarding of ten new homes to families who have been living in shelters, and recalled the satisfaction expressed by community members after a polyclinic and a child care center were repaired in a hard-hit area.
