The Workers Party of Ireland expresses its solidarity with the Communist Party of Cuba and the Cuban people and government on the anniversary of the attacks on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes garrisons on 26 July 1953, in the revolutionary struggle against the Fulgencio Batista dictatorship. Batista’s dictatorship thrived on exploitation and terror; the revolutionaries planned for a better future for the people and workers of Cuba. These actions became a rallying call for the Cuban people in that struggle.

On New Year’s Day 1959, the Cuban revolutionary forces seized the city of Santa Clara in central Cuba. Batista fled Cuba into exile. From the beginning Revolutionary Cuba faced US imperialist aggression. This has involved economic and financial sanctions, sabotage, assassination attempts, slander and misinformation, military training for Cuba’s enemies, attempted invasion and open terrorism. The US blockade is the most enduring blockade in history and has cost the Cuban economy many billions of dollars. Despite the ongoing provocations and aggression and the billions of dollars spent by the US funding anti-Cuban projects, Socialist Cuba has prevailed.

The Workers Party of Ireland reiterates its longstanding internationalist solidarity with the Cuban people, led by the Cuban Communist Party, in defence of the Revolution, which has demonstrated its strengths in health, education, gender equality, global humanitarian assistance, employment and labour rights, culture, art and sport.

Our Party today adds its voice to the worldwide commemorations in remembrance of these decisive historical events.

Long live Socialist Cuba!

End the Criminal Blockade!

Viva Socialismo!

Cllr. Ted Tynan, President

Gerry Grainger, International Secretary

Workers Party of Ireland