250,000 Havana residents, representing the Cuban people, gathered at the Anti-Imperialist Tribune to condemn the manipulated and unjust accusation against Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, Leader of the Revolution, and to support the Declaration of the Revolutionary Government.
Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, Hero of the Republic of Cuba, delivered the message sent by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, who expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the solidarity of our people and friends around the world, and assured them that as long as he lives, he will continue to march at the forefront of our people, defending the Revolution and standing firm.
In that regard, Hernández Nordelo declared that the imperialists, "do not forgive us for the humility they cannot destroy. Against our high morale, they incite all kinds of plans, always allied with lies and terrorism against this land."
The Cuban combatant recalled the recent provocations by the United States Secretary of State on May 20th, whose speech—far from having the intended effect—"has generated contempt and indignation among cowards." In response to these maneuvers, he affirmed that, from our National Apostle, whom we paid tribute to just hours ago on the 131st anniversary of his day of combat, we learned that "monster" is the precise definition to reflect what is orchestrated within the bowels of the empire.
Hernández Nordelo, one of the Five Heroes imprisoned by the empire, bluntly exposed the truth known from those northern lands and recalled that between 1994 and 1996 Cuba suffered more than 25 serious violations of its airspace, and that our country publicly and officially warned the United States, even sending direct messages to the then-president.
"Therefore, Cuba's response to the repeated aggression against its airspace constituted an act of legitimate self-defense." It is an inalienable right of every nation and an obligation to ensure the safety of its citizens.
He questioned the hypocrisy of the empire: "Would the United States allow its airspace to be violated in a hostile and provocative manner? Of course not. They themselves would act with the use of force."
The national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution was emphatic when referring to the revolutionary leader, Raúl Castro: "The young man who jumped the Moncada Barracks without fear of death. The Granma expeditionary, the one who went to fight against an army with barely seven men, the one who founded the Second Eastern Front and changed the lives of the peasants. Fidel’s most faithful follower, capable of serving, demanding, and loving."
Nordelo closed his remarks with the declaration of principles that Cuba reaffirms its commitment to peace, "and its firm determination to exercise the inalienable right to legitimate self-defense. No one will take that right from us."
"The Cuban people reaffirm their unwavering determination to defend the Homeland and the Revolution, and with the utmost strength ratify their absolute and firm command of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, as declared by the Revolutionary Government and as is being demonstrated in every corner of the nation."
During the commemoration of the revolutionary leader's 95th birthday, attendees reaffirmed that neither threats, nor blockade, nor energy embargo, nor false accusations will be able to break the will of an entire people in defense of their Revolution.
