• HE simply said that he was surprised by the recognition – the 280th Anniversary plaque – presented to him by for his upright stand in defense of the traditions of our America and for his continuance of the legacy of the original peoples.

Bolivian President Evo Morales Ayma arrived yesterday in Cuba on a brief working visit. He went to the University of Havana soon after arrival, where apart from the recognition received, he also gave a master lecture on current challenges facing his country in the presence of Vice President José Ramón Machado Ventura.

"The revolutionary process in Latin America is unstoppable," Evo stated. He gave a historical review of the current situation facing this part of the world, this year celebrating 200 years of independence, "an inheritance that left the indigenous people against the Spanish colony, against the viceroyalty."

"Rebellion," "social movement," "sovereignty," "dignity," "awareness," "awakening," were terms reiterated by the Bolivian president during his lecture in the Aula Magna, where he affirmed the value of the political struggle in the process of change developing in Bolivia, which has been brought to the center by campesinos and indigenous people, those "abandoned by various governments."

He equally refuted the multiple campaigns against his government. From the outset, he stated, "the instruments of the empire" pointed at having "to remove the ‘Indian.’ They couldn’t; three and a half years have passed since he came to power and now it would appear that the ‘Indian’ is going to stay for a long time, so they have to do something," Morales said.

He also rejected any attempt promoted by the Bolivian oligarchy with Washington’s help, to "divide Bolivia." "We are a culture of life and peace," the leader of this sister nation affirmed.

On the other hand he stated that "we have begun to change structurally, little by little," to recover key sectors like natural resources and hydrocarbons. "I feel that this process in Bolivia is irreversible," he said.

Likewise, he lamented recent events in Peru where the repression of the indigenous uprising has left some 30 people dead and noted that conflicts should be resolved in a peaceful manner. The vilified of history "are still being taught a lesson," he added.

Evo devoted part of his lecture to the historic leaders of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel and Raúl, stating "I am an admirer of Fidel," and we have come "to discuss, listen, and continue learning ways of better serving the people."

At the same time he expressed his gratitude to the island for the solidarity and cooperation given to Bolivia, where 300,000-plus citizens have had operations on their sight as part of Operation Miracle. He also praised Venezuela for its support in that context.

Finally, he maintained that capitalism is incapable of resolving the current crisis affecting the planet and urged the new U.S. administration to transform current international relations.
At the end of his lecture, Evo presented family members of the five Cuban antiterrorist fighters with an enlarged copy of a postage stamp created by Correos de Bolivia in a demonstration of support for and solidarity with this cause.

Also present in the Aula Magna were Miguel Díaz-Canel, member of the Political Bureau and minister of higher education, and Bruno Rodríguez, minister of foreign affairs, among others.

With his number, 10, on his back, Evo scored three of the seven goals that led his team to victory. His team, made up of members of the delegation accompanying him, played against Bolivian students from the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), in a friendly same of indoor soccer, which took place in the capital’s Kid Chocolate facility.

Shortly before the game began, the Aymaran president spoke with a group of students from his country training here, reminding them of the importance of serving the people once they graduate, while reiterating his gratitude to Cuba for helping to make the dream of each of these young people come true.

The president recalled his early years at the Sports Secretariat of a campesino agricultural labor union and expressed an interest in turning the sport into an instrument of integration among nations.

Ricardo Paco, speaking on behalf of the ELAM students, affirmed his desire to use his energy to benefit Bolivia when he finishes his studies.

Evo Morales has completed an intensive program of activities since his arrival in Havana at 11a.m. on Thursday and is the eleventh Latin American president to visit Cuba this year. His last visit to the island was in May 2008.