We must declare war without quarter on squander, indolence and negligent or bureaucratic attitudes
• Speech given by José Ramón Machado Ventura, Second Secretary of the Communist Party, at the central event commemorating the Day of National Rebellion, in Guantánamo province, July 26

Compañero Raúl;

COMPAÑERAS and compañeros from Guantánamo:

Compatriots nationwide;

We are celebrating the national event for the 59th anniversary of the assault on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes garrisons on the soil of Guantánamo, the scene of numerous battles to attain and preserve independence and justice for all Cubans and the birthplace of many protagonists of those feats, from the resistance of the runaway slaves and the incorporation of hundreds of compatriots in liberation wars, above all starting from the brilliant campaign of Gómez, Maceo and Guillermón Moncada in 1871, which virtually liquidated a coffee emporium contributing significant resources to the colonial regime.

And when war was renewed in 1895, Martí, Gómez, Antonio and José Maceo and Flor Crombet returned to the country, landing on the Guantánamo coast with a massive contingent of combatants who became a powerful force in a matter of days upon joining those already fighting in these mountains, given that Pedro Agustín Pérez and his troops were among the first to rise up in arms.

Afterward came the frustration of pro-independence ideals with the United States intervention, from which an important consequence still remains close to here: the Guantánamo Naval Base.

We shall continue denouncing such a flagrant violation of international law until Cuba exercises sovereignty over this part of our territory.

Never, under any circumstances, will we renounce the recovery of this portion of land.

During the neocolonial stage campesino struggles in this region were notable, as compañero Torres just mentioned in his speech. Symbolic of these are Realengo 18 and El Vínculo, where Niceto Pérez was killed.

With these antecedents, it was logical that the definitive battle for independence and justice would find fertile soil here. The actions in support of the Granma yacht landing stand out. The underground movement and later, the guerrillas already active in the area, were an important base for the constitution of the Frank País 2nd Eastern Front, and a large part of its considerable territory is now a part of this province.

The resolute support of the mountain population, together with that of countless sons and daughters of Guantánamo to the Rebel Army – day after day and combat after combat – were decisive in terms of the Second Front being able to fulfill the mission that the Comandante en Jefe [Fidel Castro] assigned to this troop before leaving for the Sierra Maestra.

No less are the efforts and sacrifices made since January 1, 1959.

While throughout the country it has been necessary to advance in the midst of limitations derived from being a small country subjected to constant economic and ideological warfare, in 1985 and 1995, Guantánamo won the special emulation prize awarded until last year, to host the central act for the 26th of July.

As was duly announced, it was decided to change the form of selection, given that it is not fair to base the honor on a combination of figures of provinces’ economic and social results, without taking into consideration that no single one is like another. From now on, they must all battle to fulfill their plans, with particular emphasis on the economic ones. Results must be comprehensive as far as possible, and the central venue will be chosen by the Political Bureau in a rotating manner.

In the conviction of expressing the sentiments of our people, we convey, on behalf of the leadership of our Party and Fidel and Raúl in particular, warmest greetings to the women and men of Guantánamo and, with them, leaders of the Party, government and mass and social organizations in the province, headed by compañero Luis Torres Iríbar, whose dedication to the mission entrusted him and his contribution to the results achieved it is only fair to acknowledge.

He has already spoken about the principal tasks undertaken, the increase of decisive local products such as coffee, cacao and forestry and fruit. This is not to forget that things are still far from what is needed and the yields which must be achieved.

Left pending was an important debt: the failure to meet the sugar production target. This time the industry was the Achilles Heel, and measures have to be adopted to ensure that the situation will be different from the start of the 2012-2013 harvest. There have not been any spectacular advances on any front, but we have confirmed that there is more organization, discipline and rigor, accompanied by a greater commitment, responsibility and enthusiasm on the part of the workforce. With these premises, and as long as nobody rests on their laurels, it is possible to consolidate what has been attained and not regress again, which is the most important thing.

As was stated here, the main conduit guaranteeing water to Caujeri valley is functioning, and work is continuing on the irrigation system conceived by the leader of the Cuban Revolution, compañero Fidel Castro; the new highway link with Santiago de Cuba is almost completed and restaurant services and improvements to the capital and other communities are progressing, just to mention some of the works.

There are many remaining problems and not all of them can be resolved as quickly as we would like. But I can assure you that the most rational solution to each one of them and within the reach of economic possibilities will be found, according to priorities established. In this context, I can tell you that continuity will be given to a highly necessary task of notable magnitude: the city of Guantánamo aqueduct.

Compañeras y compañeros:

The guidelines approved by the 6th Party Congress show the way forward for updating our economic model, an essential condition for maintaining the social achievements of the Revolution, on the principles of rationality, realism and efficiency in the use of resources, while gradually satisfying the needs of the population.

I shall not speak at length about the progress of the implementation of the guidelines and economic results in the recently ended six months, issues discussed a few days ago by the Council of Ministers, the Party Central Committee Plenum and the ordinary session of the National Assembly of People's Power. In particular, the conclusions drawn by compañero Raúl at the National Assembly offer precise orientations as we move forward.

The enemies of the Revolution – as much those outside as well as within – under the umbrella of criticizing an alleged slowness or lack of audacity in the measures adopted, are hiding their real intentions of restoring the opprobrious regime existing in Cuba until 1959.

We shall continue reinforcing the country’s institutions, thinking and planning in full detail each new decision and insisting, on putting it into practice, that controls and following up on every task are effective and genuine. It is not about solving one problem at the cost of creating another, but in finding definitive solutions in order to avoid future retreats.

We are aware of material limitations which on many occasions prevent advances at the rate we would prefer, most of them derived from the economic crisis currently gripping the planet, which has dramatically increased the prices of fuel, food and practically everything the country imports, difficulties multiplied by the blockade.

But we will not allow these real limitations to be utilized by those who continue acting out of inertia, without initiative or a spirit of struggle in the face of difficulties, or those who constantly wield shortcomings as a justification, instead of using resources available to the maximum. We have to declare war without quarter on squander, indolence and negligent or bureaucratic attitudes.

This past January, we held the 1st National Party Congress, which approved 100 working objectives aimed at perfecting the organization’s work in accordance with current tasks and circumstances. The Congress also directed the UJC (Union of Communist Youth) and the mass organizations to revitalize their structures and the content of their work.

We have the duty, in first place as members of the Party and the Union of Young Communists, to strengthen even further links with workers and the population in general; to find the best methods of constantly listening to, and above all, taking into account their criticisms, opinions and suggestions for fulfilling what has been agreed; to plead by example and confront errors and incorrect attitudes with courage and in the appropriate manner for each circumstance; to explain with convincing arguments the policy of the Revolution and the reasons for each measure. We must devote all our efforts and energy to this.

As the Revolution has invariably done, every significant decision will be consulted with the workers responsible for carrying it out and even with all the people when this is deemed necessary.

That is the way along which we will continue advancing and making as many changes as required, without yielding one iota to enemy pressure and resolutely confronting its aggressions on any terrain.

We are not alone in this decisive battle to preserve our independence and a life of dignity. We have the solidarity of many honorable women and men in all parts of the world. Sooner or later, truth and justice will prevail.

The constantly increasing support for the just cause of our Five Heroes is a clear demonstration of this growing solidarity. We confirm to our dear brothers their compatriots’ acknowledgement of their valiant and dignified attitude, together with our commitment not to give up the fight until their definitive return to the homeland is won.

We can also count on the friendship and support of many governments and progressive organizations, in particular that of the ALBA, of the sister nation Venezuela and its leader, Comandante Hugo Chávez Frías, an intimate friend of Cuba.

Today we can affirm that the sacrifice of the martyrs of the 26th of July and the many who died, before or after, in defense of justice and freedom, was not in vain.

Like those who, on the morning of Saint Ana, did not allow José Martí to die on the centenary of his birth, the current and future generations of revolutionaries will always keep alive the glorious legacy of the national heroes of the homeland.

Eternal glory to the heroes and martyrs of the 26th of July!

¡Viva la Revolución!

¡Viva Fidel! ¡Viva Raúl!

¡Viva Cuba libre!