MOSCOW, Russian Federation.– On a day steeped in symbolism and memory, when the heart of Cuba beat in unison remembering the physical departure of the Commander-in-Chief, the first thought of the children of the island, who were now in a distant land, could be for no one else but him. On November 25, a date synonymous with legacy and commitment in the largest of the Antilles, Political Bureau member Roberto Morales Ojeda, secretary of organization of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, began his working visit here with a tribute to Fidel on the 9th anniversary of his journey to immortality.
Around noon Moscow time, under a sky reminiscent of Havana, the party leader and his entourage headed to the district of Sokol. There, in the square that proudly bears the name of the eternal Caguairán and where an impressive bronze sculpture stands guard over the friendship between two peoples, Morales Ojeda, together with the delegation accompanying him, placed red flowers. The silence was eloquent, broken only by the whisper of the wind and the weight of history.
Minutes earlier, with a solemnity that was also moving, he unveiled the ribbon on the floral offering. On the fabric, simple and powerful words traced an emotional bridge: "To the undefeated Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz on behalf of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Cuban people." Then, red flowers—vibrant like the Revolution he led—were also carefully placed at the foot of the monument by each member of the delegation, as a sign of respect and collective memory for Fidel.
That name, which for Russians is that of a "sincere and reliable friend," as President Vladimir Putin stated nine years ago in a letter to Army General Raúl Castro Ruz upon learning of the Commander's death, resonated in the intense cold air with a familiar warmth. It was precisely Fidel who cultivated the special affection that today unites Cuba and Russia. He was the architect of ties that, as Morales Ojeda well knew, had their next stop in the memory of shared heroism.
Guided by this thought, the delegation moved on to the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. There, a young historian, with a burning passion for the stories he heard from his grandparents, led them through the rooms that echo with the sacrifice of more than 27 million Soviets. In every photograph, every relic, every object... beat the history of a struggle that Fidel taught Cubans to admire: the epic of a people who saved the world from the fascist holocaust 80 years ago.
And at the end of the tour, with emotion running high, Morales Ojeda assured that "being here today has a special meaning," he said, "because we are doing so on the ninth anniversary of the physical disappearance of our beloved and ever-present Commander-in-Chief." His voice, calm but firm, emphasized how Fidel was the teacher who "taught new generations of Cubans to love the Russian people and honor their historic feat."
To the team at this beautiful and impressive museum, for all they do to bring the glorious past closer to new generations, he conveyed his "recognition and appreciation," as this is "the translation of that historical memory remaining alive for the new generations of the Russian people and also for all those who visit it, because really, it is something that today more than ever we must keep in mind when we are facing imperialism and a new stage of fascism."
A DIALOGUE TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS
As part of the working agenda and the 65th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Russia, the Secretary of Organization of the Party's Central Committee was received at the headquarters of the Eurasian giant's government by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, in a meeting that highlighted the interest of both countries in consolidating economic, commercial, and cooperation ties.
The co-chair of the Russian-Cuban Intergovernmental Commission for Commercial, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation expressed his solidarity with the Cuban people for the damage caused by the devastating Hurricane Melissa that affected the eastern part of the country and praised how human casualties were avoided. He also confirmed the sending of humanitarian aid "to our Cuban friends" to compensate for the damage caused by the weather phenomenon.
Chernyshchenko reiterated his condolences for the passing, a few months ago, of "a friend, an eminent politician": Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, who was Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba and shared with him the co-chairmanship of the Intergovernmental Commission. "We will always remember him as a very hard-working person, with whom it was a pleasure to work."
At another point in the conversation, he said that thanks to the exchanges between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, relations between the two nations "have reached a qualitatively new level." He also thanked Cuba for its participation in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism and the 65th anniversary of the restoration of relations between our two nations, which were recently celebrated here.
For his part, Morales Ojeda explained that this visit was in response to an invitation from the United Russia party to continue strengthening our relations. "We hope that with the participation of our parties, we will also raise economic and trade relations to the same level as political relations," he said.
Updating on the complex economic situation facing the country, especially due to the impact of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States, he pointed out that "we are not sitting idly by" and are working on a Government Program that constitutes the guiding thread for advancing the gradual recovery of the economy, which is subject to debate and collective construction, as an expression of our participatory democracy.
Morales Ojeda provided details on the preparations for the 9th Congress of the Communist Party, to be held in April next year, and thanked the Russian authorities for their firm stance in denouncing the criminal US blockade and the unjust inclusion of Cuba on the list of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism. "We will always stand with Russia, its history, its government, and its people."
At the end of the day, the party leader spoke with members of the Cuban state mission in Russia, as well as with a delegation of Caribbean students participating in the 100-scholarship teaching program, whom he updated on the situation in the country following Hurricane Melissa and the actions being taken to correct distortions and revive the economy.
"The role you play here is essential to contributing to that purpose. There is much to do, much to work on, but rest assured that we are doing it and we will move forward. If the Revolution is alive today and will continue to be so, it is because we have a heroic people of which you are a part. From here, you are an important bastion for preserving the work of social justice that Fidel founded," he said.
