Thus, the historic day could not pass without a tribute to those who made the dream possible, from the first – Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, Mariana Grajales, José Martí and Fidel Castro – to the hundreds of humble men and women who have given their lives to gain a republic, with all and for the good of all.

Floral wreaths in the names of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee; the President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; and the people of Cuba were placed inside the mausoleum where José Martí’s remains rest, in Santiago de Cuba’s Santa Ifigenia Cemetery.

There, the province’s highest authorities, led by Lázaro Expósito Canto, Party first secretary, and Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, president of the Provincial Assembly of People’s Power, paid their respects.

On a day also dedicated to commemorating the foundation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, descendant of the Rebel Army that at dawn on December 2 landed on the Granma yacht in the area of Los Cayuelos, 82 youth re-enacted the experience of Fidel and his companions. Dressed in olive green uniforms, waving rifles and flags, they reaffirmed the decision to protect our freedom and the conquests of socialism.

(Granma)

Freedom is a human right, but on this island, it is a natural condition. Those who inhabit Cuba, and honor it as their homeland, see its infinite and indomitable destiny as free, like the sea.

That is why we rise up, if Cuba is injured, humiliated, the object of the empire’s desires, our heroes return on the waves, to overcome the offenses and assert the people’s sovereign will.

There is a storm and rough water, but the torment of the homeland is worse and the fierceness of rage is greater. But not even the protection of the mainland offered respite. In a baptism of fire, a high price was paid for their audacity at Alegría de Pío.

Three lives lost in an instant, the rest were pursued, some captured and murdered; but several escaped the massacre and, protected by campesinos, made their way safely to the encounter: Now we have won the war!

Cinco Palmas would return meaning to the expedition. They were not all there, but they were enough. Faith is a deep word with roots.

With each man on the Granma, a seed landed, and fell on fertile ground. And when a life was cut short, a sprout returned bearing the ideal of victory that would overcome hopelessness.

(Granma)

As part of the ceremony, white roses where placed before the tombs of

Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, father of the nation; Mariana Grajales Cuello, mother of all Cubans; and the historic leader of the Revolution Fidel Castro Ruz.

The military ceremony which included an honor guard was conducted by Antonio Maceo Order coast guard cadets from the Granma Naval Academy in Havana, and students at the Camilo Cienfuegos Military Academy in Villa Clara, chosen in recognition of their outstanding work.

In attendance were Party Central Committee members Lázaro Expósito Canto, first secretary in the province, and Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, a Council of State vice president and president of the Santiago Provincial Assembly of People’s Power, as well as Brigadier General Ricardo Rígel Tejeda, along with other leaders, students, veterans of the Cuban Revolution, and the city’s population.

(Granma)

Army General Raúl Castro Ruz sent a message of congratulations to the institution which he described as prestigious, emphasizing the role it plays “in training better prepared officers, committed to their people and the defense of the homeland, the Revolution, and socialism.”

During the event, attended by Army Corps General, Leopoldo Cintra Frías, member of the Communist Party of Cuba’s Central Committee Political Bureau and FAR Minister, active and reserve officers who were among the founders of the academy were recognized, as well as other outstanding workers and officers who have contributed to the institution’s development.

Unveiled was a plaque noting the designation of the site, located in Caimito, Artemisa, as a National Monument, given its patrimonial and historical value, the art deco elements of the building and its excellent conservation.

Speaking in the name of cadets was Yailen Rodríguez Luna, who highlighted the challenges her generation faces including the need to constantly study, to understand the world political-military panorama, and especially that of our region given the imperialist offensive being mounted by the current U.S. administration.

Division General Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, head of the Ministry directorate, noted the high quality of the academy’s faculty, who have trained more than 15,000 officers over the years.

Also attending the event were José Ramón Saborido Loidi, minister of Higher Education; Sucely Morfa González, Council of State member and first secretary of the Young Communists League; Party and FAR leaders, among other guests.

(Granma)

During the meeting held in Sochi, the president said that towards the end of this summer every military body must meet the planned parameters of modernization of its armament, and defined the corresponding figures, according to the TASS news agency.

The Army and Air Force have a corresponding share of 32 and 33 percent respectively, the Airborne Troops will reach an indicator of 40 percent, and the Navy and Aerospace Defense Forces will update their arsenals in about 50 percent, according to the Russian leader.

In general, the fulfillment itself of my instructions to the Ministry of Defense and the specialized departments of the ministry and industry has resulted in the build-up of the pace of rearmament of the Army and Navy, according to the head of the Kremlin.

Putin emphasized that the priority now is to keep up, to solve promptly the tasks related to joint competence, and meet strictly the confirmed schedule and terms of delivery.

He reiterated that by late summer the Armed Forces must meet the parameters of update of their arsenals with modern weaponry.

The first channel of Russian television showed a fragment of the meeting at which Putin highlighted the successes achieved in the last two years in discussions with military commanders and industrial companies on the progress in fulfilling state orders.

The optimization of the structure of the Russian army and its composition, as well as the weapons systems were approved last year. We have been working in some areas and making progress in each, he added.

According to Putin, the new prototypes of weapons, the military and special equipment created will reduce the need of their numbers. This means a reduction of the cost of the entire weapons program, he said.

He also added, this situation will help us not only to reduce the cost of maintenance, but also of production and implementation of the concept of the development of the automated command of the Armed Forces and of the control systems.

According to Putin, such a background will enable the phased introduction of the control of the troops’ effectiveness.

The Russian leader concluded that this system is designed for a period that extends until 2020.

(Prensa Latina)