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Cuba fights a necessary war every day to defend our sovereignty

Cuba pueblo artistasFebruary 24 did not acquire its relevance in the annals of history solely as the day the Mambises returned to the battlefield, but as a result of lessons learned in the process, especially the need for unity.

Necessary, nothing more, because no other descriptor was needed. There was no need for any other adjective, no need to use any other word. This word was more than enough. Because what is necessary is what cannot be postponed, that which is crucial, unavoidable. Necessary, because there was no other way to reach the goal, and the man of unlimited vision and indescribable political maturity who was organizing the war, decided that this was the case.

The uprising was a new beginning, the product of a dream denied, one more lacerating blow to the enemy’s skin, the next step in the historical spiral leading to the homeland’s full dignification, although unfortunately it would not be the definitive victory.

That February 24 did not acquire its relevance in the annals of history solely as the day the Mambises returned to the battlefield, but as a result of the sacred lessons learned through the process leading to this point, lessons that would never be forgotten by Cubans. Saying unity, is enough to summarize many of them.

The true essence of that return to the battlefield, where the blood of its greatest ideologue was shed all too soon, was the understanding that the differences between men vanish when the cause for which they fight is more significant.

The legacy of that day is so rich, emerging from the intense ideological battle that preceded it and the practically inexplicable energy of Martí devoted to seeing it through, with his deepest sentiments revealed, it can be said, without fear of misunderstanding, that on this day the heart of Cuba beat again with all its strength. New kindling revived the flame of independence once and for all, and the real possibility of victory was dispersed like gunpowder once again and pride was reborn among a people that was not born to be enslaved.

That February 24 was necessary because only events that rattle history from its foundations can move the depths of those who are predestined to write it.

For sure, the foreseen deception of a thoroughly rotten monster, making use of the weaknesses of a decadent empire, detained the hurricane that threatened to detach the fruit, knowing that it would not gravitate toward another tree, but rather take root and grow on its own.

But history is wise and its protagonists persevere. This is why, for us, the Necessary War was not a lost battle. The deed’s undeniable vindication of the liberating spirit of ’68; Martí’s capacity to build unity, making him forever an apostle of independence; and, above all, our enemy’s recognition that there was not even the slightest chance Cubans would renounce the dream of freedom made the return to arms a turning point, an inexhaustible source of determination for generations to come.

From then on, there was no rest, no resignation or oblivion. The annexation was never as they dreamed it would be, because the growing rebellion of an entire people gave them no respite, and not even the most criminal repression was enough to silence the constant call for a free Cuba.

Thus, far from dying as they had foreseen over so many years of ignominy, Martí was born again one hundred years after the first birth that brought him into the world, but this time it was not a woman’s womb that gave him life, but the nobility of youthful souls, of a generation that took for itself the reins of the homeland’s destiny, that chose to be the depositary of the ideals that, despite our oppressors, did not die with Martí in Dos Ríos.

Within that deep well of willpower and optimism, of youthful impetus mixed with an uncontainable desire for freedom, a star of unique light rose, a being of such advanced thought and convictions, that the ideas of the Teacher sowed in his heart emerged anew in another time, in another reality, but with the same goal: independence, and for that, another battle was already necessary and this time, the enemy, unaware, found his days numbered as “protector” of our island.

In the skin of that young lawyer, Martí was once again the ideologist of the revolutionary process that was taking shape, and when that morning of Santa Ana dawned in 1953, and Santiago de Cuba trembled, and much more than the walls of the Moncada shook, July 26th was another February 24th.

The struggle was re-launched once again, although it was never completely detained, to retake Marti’s concepts, to rethink them in light of the historical moment and enrich them with the brilliant, advanced thinking of Fidel and his contemporaries, which implied giving it an unimaginably broad scope. No further arguments were needed, except those that came with time itself, to affirm that when these initial concepts matured, there was nothing capable of preventing Cuba’s victory.

This time the revolutionaries carried machetes within their souls, while carrying other weapons in their hands, riding history as their steed. The lives lost were an inspiring force, and the vibrant youthful blood was fuel for the gears to engage, destined to advance the colossal struggle that would follow.

History has shown that this display of such courage was not a setback, and the call made by the natural leader of the feat, was call of all patriots who, devoted for years to their land’s defense, did not have the opportunity to look the oppressor in the eyes and openly state the sincere, just truths that he deserved to hear, and would not remain ensconced in brilliant words alone.

One by one, the steps taken by the Generation of the Centennial yielded the fruits that all of Cuba yearned for. The Moncada was the first step to reach the summits of the Sierra Maestra, but the foundation was laid in Marti’s struggle, as well as in La Demajagua.

This is why Cuba is, in itself, the heart of continuity, this is why our Revolution is one, because ideals, if they are true, live longer those who advocate them, because patriotism is inherited like the genes that unite us in a family tree, because Cubans do not conceive of life without the homeland.

Only this people is capable of conceiving the sacrifice that our decision to be free has cost and has more than enough morality and reason to refuse to allow third parties to impose a destiny and a course that are alien to our most elementary convictions.

When a land has so much history, so much invaluable legacy to turn to, so much tradition of persevering in its efforts, no matter how complex they may be, it acquires a maturity, an attachment to values, to principles, which cease to be an individual asset to become a collective one, very difficult to break, even if the most unimaginable resources are deployed to do so.

Much more than rivers of money and waves of imperial power are needed to intimidate us, if such a thing exists, because in this firm, redemptive sovereign land, every day dawns with the conviction that the daily defense of our independence is also a necessary war.

(Taken from Granma)

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