Havana – On Saturday, Cuba announced the commemorative events marking the 68th anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution—to be celebrated on January 1st—amid a context defined by the intensification of the United States blockade.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the 158th anniversary of the start of the wars of independence, José Ramón Monteagudo—a member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and head of its Agri-food Department—affirmed that the Revolution stands as a living force, sustained by the strength of a united people and inspired by the legacy of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and Army General Raúl Castro.
The official explained that the commemorative period aims to highlight the continuity of the revolutionary process and honor popular resistance through its political, historical, cultural, and social values, based on the premise that unity around the Party is the most valuable strategic weapon.
Key activities of the program include paying tribute to the nation's heroes and martyrs, strengthening defense preparedness, advancing socioeconomic priorities, and implementing ongoing transformations.
Monteagudo urged political and mass organizations, as well as state institutions, to work intensively—with high levels of public participation—to achieve superior results in conjunction with this historic anniversary.
The official recalled the courage shown by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes on October 10th, 1868, when he freed his slaves and launched the struggle against Spanish colonialism—an enduring example of resistance in the face of attempts at foreign domination.
He noted that the "Father of the Nation" had warned early on about the U.S. government's expansionist ambitions regarding the island—a warning that remains highly relevant given the pressures the Caribbean nation currently faces.
The victory of January 1, 1959, realized Céspedes' ideals and compels us to shoulder the daily responsibility of building a country that is more just, sovereign, and committed to solidarity, he noted.
Despite the difficult economic situation resulting from Washington's blockade, the leader reaffirmed the conviction that unity, steadfastness, and faith in victory are invincible.
To overcome these challenges and deepen the process of building socialism, he emphasized, the country approved 176 socioeconomic transformations across 23 thematic areas, aimed at consolidating social justice, generating wealth, and distributing it equitably.
He stressed that the implementation of these measures requires the understanding and conscious participation of all sectors of society.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel attended the commemorative event marking the start of the wars of independence, alongside other members of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Political Bureau and government and state officials.
