What opinion can refute the arguments set forth in the Constitution of the Republic, or annul the rights established for its citizens, when every one of its words was reasoned, proposed, debated and endorsed with the broadest and most active participation of the authentic people?

An independent nation is our greatest patrimony, and the path chosen to advance and preserve what we have freely and sovereignly achieved are also protected by the Constitution, approved by more than 86% of eligible Cuban voters, coming together as a people in a Constituent Assembly, responsible for converting its dictates into law, like this one, which defines what is sacred and untouchable:

ARTICLE 4

-The defense of the socialist homeland is the greatest honor and the supreme duty of every Cuban.

-Betrayal of the homeland is the most serious of crimes, and those who commit it are subject to the most severe penalties.

-The socialist system that sustains this Constitution is irrevocable.

-Citizens have the right to combat by all means, including armed struggle, when no other recourse is available, against anyone who attempts to overthrow the political, social and economic order established by this Constitution.

(Taken from Granma)

The approval of a more advanced constitutional text was not only proof of the continuity that has marked the course of our revolutionary process, but at the same time, the starting point for another stage of intense, challenging work.

The Policy Guidelines, Development Plan through 2030 and Conceptualization of Cuba’s Economic and Social Model, made clear that today’s Cuba required transformations to make our social system more sustainable, developed, proactive, and thus more just and rich in opportunities. To do so, we needed a new Constitution.

Collective consensus for the organizational structure of the Magna Carta, approved by referendum and proclaimed on another historic date, April 10, indicated another path, moving in two crucial directions. On the one hand, the approval of a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework that would allow the Constitution’s content to become a reality; and on the other, the realignment of both state and government structures to become more functional, efficient and objective, in order to reach the ultimate objective – our country’s development on all fronts.

This year, these unavoidable goals were sustained with discipline and order, despite the permanent battle against increasingly obsessive U.S. policy toward Cuba, and the countless tensions it caused.

THE ESSENTIAL LEGISLATIVE MISSION
The legislative work of Cuba’s National Assembly was intense in 2019. Several laws have already been approved by deputies, reflecting stipulations in the Constitution and addressing the need to regulate certain indispensable social and economic processes.

During the first ordinary session, after the new Magna Carta’s proclamation, three new laws of special importance were approved: Act 127 or Electoral Law, Act 128 or Law of National Symbols of the Republic of Cuba, and Act 129 or Fisheries Law, the first law addressing this issue at the national level.

Our current Constitution, of course, reflects important changes in the constitutional order. Its first transitional provision dictates that a new Electoral Law must be approved by the National Assembly within a period of six months of its proclamation, to guarantee the establishment of Electoral Councils at all levels, and the subsequent election of new figures described in the constitutional text that differ from those in the previous law dated October 29, 1992. As to be expected, the new Magna Carta also includes procedures to elect figures already known, including deputies, delegates to Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power and their leadership.

The Law of National Symbols, on its part, will allow, as it explains, to solve problems of regulations previously in effect, and also to make use of these symbols, to some extent, more flexible, in line with interests expressed by Cuban citizens.

As for Fisheries Law, its second Whereas makes clear ¨the objective of establishing fishery resource management based on the principles of preservation, sustainable use, a precautionary approach, implementation of scientific-technological criteria and environmental protection as defined in domestic and international norms and principles of food security and sovereignty to guarantee the implementation of Cuban fishery policy in a progressive, flexible and effective manner.¨

Toward the end of 2019, the National Assembly approved, in its last ordinary session, two new laws, important to the improvement of People´s Power bodies: 1- Law of Organization and Operation of Municipal Assemblies and People´s Councils, and, 2- Law of Organization and Operation of this body and the Council of State, which represents the Assembly between sessions.

Remaining to be done is much complex legislative work, as reflected in the agenda approved for this purpose, with a total of 70 regulations including laws and decree-laws through 2023, and 24 regulations that will enter into effect from 2023 to 2028. No doubt, all these regulations are directed toward the optimal organic functioning of the Cuban nation.

MORE FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION, APPROPRIATE FOR PRESENT TIMES

January 2020 saw two closely related processes that contributed to not only strengthening state structures, but also affording a leading role to territories in decision-making, in the search for local solutions to problems, moving toward more horizontal processes involving reasoning and assuming strategies in line with the closest reality, as well as progress towards municipal autonomy.

First, delegates to Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power nationwide elected Governors and Lieutenant Governors in their respective provinces. They then approved, at the proposal of their respective presidents, the individuals now serving as Superintendents. Each of these elected figures has their respective duties outlined in the Constitution.

However, at this step was preceded by others, entailing changes to the highest levels of the country´s leadership and the National Assembly of People’s Power, the state’s highest governing body which elected its President, Vice President and Secretary, who in turn formed the Council of State.

The main reason for this decision is that the Council of State is the body that represents the National Assembly between sessions, to which it is accountable. Although the Council of State has the authority to approve essential decree-laws for conducting certain processes in the country, these decree-laws must be confirmed by National Assembly in the next session. The Council of State’s powers are clearly defined in the Constitution.

According to the Magna Carta, the National Assembly is also responsible for electing the President and Vice President of the Republic. The President, who must be a National Assembly deputy, is elected to serve a five-year term by a majority vote, and is also accountable to this body for all activity. The Vice President is elected in the same manner, and fulfills duties as delegated or assigned by the President.

Cuba’s Magna Carta clearly defines the structure of the Republic’s government, with the Council of Ministers as its highest executive and administrative body. This council is headed by another new figure identified in the Constitution: the Prime Minister. This individual, who serves as head of the Republic’s government, is nominated by the President of the Republic and must be approved by an absolute majority of deputies.

BEYOND CONSTITUTIONAL TERMS
Although, this article provides a brief summary of separate steps completed to bring constitutional principles to life, the real essence of these steps and impact within society goes far beyond the legal language or terms in a Constitution.

The fact is that everything achieved thus far, and all that is still up for discussion, in no way negligible, has an undisputed leading figure: the people. And with the deep essence of the people, this work has been done. Let us never forget that our deputies represent even the most humble of Cubans, those who live in the most remote areas, those who are still very young, and those who have lived many years.

Let us not forget that approving the Magna Carta by constitutional referendum and enriching it with our opinions in broad popular consultation, implies majority support for the processes that emerge from its chapters and sections.

This has been above all a year of learning, of understanding that transformation is a key principle in the process of developing, growing and expanding the horizons to which we aspire. Everything we do together, with the conviction of “thinking as a country,” is for our benefit, that of our family, of the people we love and have the privilege of living in Cuba.

José Martí, Cuba´s Apostle, showed us with his limitless greatness and the undeniable depth of his language, that the stars are not reached by taking flat roads. We can interpret from this wisdom that if our willpower is the driving force, however rugged the road, the stars are not impossible to reach with the sure guidance of our leaders.

(Granma)

(Council of State transcript / GI translation)

Dear Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee;

Compañero Machado;

Comandantes de la Revolución;

President Lazo;

Dear deputies:

It is impossible to take the floor in this extraordinary session of the National Assembly of People’s Power, in which we have focused the debate on economic issues, without making any obligatory and heartfelt reference to the historical significance of the event we experienced just three days ago, in a solemn session of our Parliament.

José Martí, although he did not live the events of April 10, 1869, described them with words that 150 years later still impress. Through him we can better understand the history of that small town where, on that day, the seed of the nation was planted, when its name was inscribed in the memory of the country, to travel, in just one month, from this high point to ashes.

Twenty-three years had passed when he published in the newspaper Patria the following, I’ll quote only excerpts: “Free Guaimaro was never more beautiful than in the days when it entered into glory and sacrifice (…). The families of the heroes, eager to see them, came to where their heroism occurred, by putting themselves into the law, they would be great (…). As brides came the wives, and the children, as when they talk about the supernatural (…). Coming together were Oriente, Las Villas and the center, the injured local souls spontaneously composed the national soul, and the revolution entered the republic.”

There are no words more perfect than those of Martí in this description of how the national soul was composed when “the revolution entered the republic.”

Considering the events and the role of men in them, the Apostle stated in 1892: “Neither Cuba nor history will ever forget that those who came first in the war became the first to demand respect for the law.”

Neither Cuba nor history, we can repeat today, will forget the ceremony of last Wednesday the 10th, and its links with the event that defined us as a nation, on April 10, a century and a half ago.

Our Army General, who was first in war, has also been first in proposing, conducting, and demanding the imperative updating of the law, out of respect for the law.

The chroniclers of these times will not have the challenge, overcome brilliantly by Martí, of telling the story of the serious disagreements among our founding heroes. Precisely thanks to 151 years of struggle for our emancipation, today we are not arguing, but rather proclaiming.

Nor are we obliged, as were our founding heroes, to construct a government before winning freedom. Freedom was first rescued and sustained by more than a generation of revolutionaries, over hard years of creation and resistance.

Thus, the Constitution we recently proclaimed has a great history. Its roots lie in the first that was born fighting within the heart of the Republic in Arms, and later reaffirmed in three constitutions during the war, to be reborn in 1901, under the worse circumstances, in an assembly with its hands tied by Yankee intervention.

In 1940, another Constitution, the conquest of several generations of Cubans, was celebrated although not implemented. It was violated and buried by a despot, but its death lit the spark of a Revolution that was destined to fulfill its precepts of fundamental justice.

Many years later, in 1976, the people inscribed their most radical aspirations in another Constitution, the first socialist one, that after a few reforms brought us to this Magna Carta, proclaimed this April 10, precisely in honor of this history.

I always say that the recently proclaimed Constitution is strong because it draws on this history of intense search for a national guide, that we have described briefly, and the more recent, too, and from long months of analysis, debates, and modifications that involved in its construction the majority of the people, who later supported it irrefutably in a referendum.

One parallel between that historic April 10, and the date three days ago, points to other vital links: we do not need to decide on a flag for our ceremony, because in 1869 the red triangle was chosen, which “proudly waved in the fight, / without a childish or romantic boast; / the Cuban who does not believe / should be flogged as a coward,” as we learned with the unsurpassed verses of Bonifacio Byrne.

Nor can it be said that a woman demanded here the place she deserved.

From Ana Betancourt to Vilma Espín, women’s contribution to the Revolution has been boundless. And justice has finally been served. Women are the majority in this Assembly, as is all important matters in our society.

But there are other moments that equal past and present times. All of Cuba, like Guáimaro 150 years ago, has a tenacious and avaricious enemy lurking nearby.

And just as the Spanish army viciously attacked Guaimaro, a month after that beautiful day of the first national Constitution, the neighboring empire threatens, again, to assault Cuba. And in fact it attacks every day with foolish measures that are escalating in hostility and in viciousness.

Guáimaro’s response to the Spanish assault, as Bayamo had before, was to burn everything that could not be defended. And that was also described by Martí as if he had seen it: “The mothers did not cry, nor did the men hesitate, nary a weak heart was to be seen as the cedars and mahogany fell. With their own hands, they lit the bonfires to the holy city, and when the night closed in, the sacrifice was reflected in the sky (…). The people went into the forest (…). And a good hand hid the constitution in the ground. It must be found!”

This is how Martí concludes this beautiful piece of journalism, entitled “El 10 de abril.”

We are passionate about history, it’s true. But if we return to it once and again, it is not only because of the pleasure our national glory provides. We return because within it there are formidable reserves of Cuban morality, always under attack, always ready to turn any material possession to ashes before raising our arms for the adversary to chain them.

What Martí asked us to find in 1892 in this “entry of the revolution into the republic,” will always have a pending task. In our case, it is the permanent battle to maintain our sovereignty and strive for all justice with the greatest degree of prosperity possible.

The current U.S. administration that dismisses multi-literalism and has decided to return the world’s to its worse times, shamelessly making threats of insolent intervention, and constant ultimatums, including the invasion option, has publicly stated, more than once, its intention to destroy any development alternative apart from the savage capitalism it attempts to promote in the region.

Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba are nations with political projects that do not accept the version of the Monroe Doctrine followed by the Trump administration, which, unable to keep its election promises of industrial recovery and national greatness, is sinking into a morass of ridiculous lies to assert that three Latin American nations, struggling to overcome the underdevelopment they inherited, threaten the powerful empire.

They have been busy working against Venezuela, repeating the same script used in criminal aggressions against Cuba since the first years of the Revolution, including state terrorism and pressure on other countries to break regional unity.

The novelty is in non-conventional war tactics that range from the symbolic to very real, from fake news, lies wrapped in novel false trappings, to sabotage of computer networks that sustain the country’s functioning. The empire literally cut off Venezuelans’ lights and water. At the same time their spokespeople and latest puppet seethe before the world because the Bolivarian government rejects false humanitarian aid.

Hypocrites, criminals, thieves of Venezuela’s national treasury: there is no other way to describe those attempting to defeat the courageous people with hunger and deprivation, stealing their financial resources, while sharpening their teeth to devour the riches nature has given this sister nation in abundance, which Bolivar and Chávez raised to a place of honor on the map of America, with their contribution to the continent’s independence.

We cannot underestimate the escalation of this aggression. Beyond the threats, typical of these political merchants, with the rise to decision-making positions of deceitful, mediocre, criminal politicians, financial persecution has increased and the blockade of Cuba tightened.

They have pushed the precarious relations with our country back to the lowest level, fabricating false acoustic incidents, channeling millions of dollars to the counterrevolution and political subversion, issuing dishonest, spurious lists, and trying to activate the hateful Helms-Burton Law, in an attempt to return us to the beginning of this story, when we were a slave nation of another empire.

This year, they have focused on giving us deadlines for the possible implementation of Title III of this slave law, which is what it should really be called. They have done so year after year since 1996, in the style of capital pardons. Now they are putting it off for a month, a few days, with arrogant threats, like someone holding a sword over our heads, ready to cut them off, if we don’t surrender.

What is the entire Helms-Burton, if not the 60-year blockade made law?

What more can they do after 60 years of persecution, aggression, and threats?

This past April 10, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, said here:

“We have been warning of the aggressive actions unleashed by the U.S. government against the Latin American and Caribbean region. It does so in the name of the Monroe Doctrine, with an arrogant McCarthyist contempt for socialism, for the self-determination of peoples, and the sovereign rights of countries in the region.”

As he has alerted us, all indications are that the blockade is being tightened around Cuban sovereignty, reinforcing the blockade, especially the financial persecution. Pressure from the United States is creating obstacles to financing and credit from third countries; while internally we are still held back by administrative inefficiency, an importing mentality, the lack of conservation, and insufficient income from exports, among other evils, from which we cannot exclude cases of corruption and illegalities, unacceptable today, as always, in the Revolution.

Faced with this map of tremendous challenges, we run the risk of believing that there is no way out. But history has something to tell us. Fidel, Raúl, Almeida, Camilo, Che, the generation of our parents and grandparents, with less experience and even fewer resources, confronted more serious, darker moments, and emerged victorious.

History shows us that when we have a correct strategy, when there is unity of objectives, and a sense of nationhood, all obstacles can be overcome.

The difficult present panorama, that has been described, imposes two absolute priorities: preparation for defense and the economic battle, at the same time.

The strategy is to work without rest on alternatives, already designed, without abandoning a single one of our objectives directed toward greater wellbeing for our people.

To those who arrogantly and disdainfully ignored the call made for the world to be open to Cuba, we will respond by showing that, yes, we heard the appeal and are opening ourselves even more to those who act sovereignly in the interest of promoting and developing common policies to support the survival of the human species, as Fidel said at the Earth Summit in 1992.

This philosophy moves us when we call for reflection and discussion of economic issues.

Today we have evaluated progress on the implementation of the Guidelines. And it is very important that this information has been shared, because it clarifies for us just how intense and complex the work has been, and above all, what remains to be done.

What has been implemented over the last decade is no small thing: 206 policies, at the rate of 20 per year. In 2018 alone, 47 were approved and the rate of implementation rose, thanks to our greater experience, organization, and participation from Central State Administration bodies.

The government and Party’s constant monitoring of the implementation, through its fundamental programs, has allowed us to note negative outcomes and experiences. And this differentiated analysis has not only facilitated corrective action, but also helped avoid the repetition of errors, as the Party’s First Secretary has noted. Needed is more attention to detail in preparation, organization, and training in every process, experiment, and procedure, for every person involved in these.

We likewise advocate the incorporation of jurists, from the very conception of policies, in the design of legal norms, so that they are coherent with the fundamental objectives and protect our state apparatus from distortions that could be generated by volunteerism and improvisation.

Last but not least, we are obliged to speed up the process as much as possible, carefully defining the route in timelines for implementation. Thus far, we have not been able to achieve this.

With equal emphasis, we have analyzed the elaboration and advances of the National Social and Economic Plan through 2030.

The objective analysis of the country’s current conditions and the international environment, have led us to propose economic planning in three stages:

2019- 2021, 2022- 2026, and 2027- 2030.

But the current conjuncture requires us, realistically, to focus on the first, fully aware of the additional difficulties we face, which could become worse.

For this, we have identified six strategic sectors that have the greatest impact on the economy, in which efforts and resources will be concentrated, without ignoring others.

These sectors are: tourism; the biotechnology-pharmaceutical industry; the electro-energetic related to renewable resources; food production; the export of professional services; and construction.

To say this is in good Cuban: the difficult situation requires us to set clear, well defined priorities, to avoid returning to the hard times of the Special Period.

Today we have the advantage of a more diversified, internationally integrated economy; tourist development; the biotechnology-pharmaceutical industry; greater potential for exports; more construction capacity, a water distribution system, transportation; communications; and untapped potential for savings and the replacement of imports, which we must take better advantage of.

We are intent on developing government work with more efficient public and enterprise management; with fewer obstacles and less bureaucracy; greater transparency and participation; direct, ongoing links with the grassroots; more efficient social communication; more scientific research and a more active role on the part of universities, based on demand and needs, with greater impact on the economy and production.

With the strengthening of the socialist state enterprise, our greatest productive force; with our ears alert to those with knowledge and experience to contribute; with a constant view toward the provinces and communities; with deep and astute legislative work; with greater autonomy for municipalities; and regular accountability for those assuring development programs.

With no fear of change; chipping away at problems; taking full advantage of our strengths in collective leadership and advocating with discipline and commitment the orientations of our Party.

Unleashing a permanent ethical battle against corruption and illegalities; ordering and strengthening non-state economic management; revitalizing our communities; and promoting beauty and a culture of detail as everyday practices.

Being accountable to the people and encouraging their indispensable participation in the solution of every problem. Generalizing best practices. Overcoming the inertia of the tired. Spreading the enthusiasm and optimism of the committed. Understanding that the beauty of the worst moment lies in the extent of the challenges.

The list of tasks is infinite, but I would like to dwell on those that require more immediate action and I urge everyone to join us in assuming them:
First, the updating of the Economic Plan based on the most difficult scenarios.

We intend to immediately launch pending economic measures related to demands and needs; the reorganization of domestic commerce; the performance of the enterprise system, agricultural and non-agricultural cooperatives and self-employment.

Our government work will be focused on agriculture, export production, tourism, the replacement of imports (with domestic goods), foreign investment and productive linkages with all national industries possible.

Now more than ever it is essential to save and manage resources carefully, fundamentally energy, so that its use contributes to greater productivity; appropriately use credit and different forms of financing, with more emphasis on investment.

Under these circumstances, it is essential to meet and take advantage of all the potential present in human resources and the qualified workforce we have.

We will continue advancing in the process of computerization of society and working hard to improve food supplies, housing, and transportation, the quality of services, even in the midst of asphyxiating financial persecution that makes the importing of goods and resources of primary necessity particularly difficult, and sometimes impossible.

Compañeras and compañeros:

Awaiting this legislature are months and perhaps years of intense work, but we must advance as quickly as possible so that the Constitution is expressed in laws that are more in tune with our times and needs.

And we have no right to delay changes longer than absolutely necessary.

We assume the mandate to change everything that needs to be changed and correct everything that hinders and delays progress toward prosperity in the shortest time and with the highest quality.

What will not change will be our attitude toward those who hold their sword over us.

The answer is: No, imperialist gentlemen, we Cubans do not surrender, nor do we accept laws on our affairs that are not within the bounds of our Constitution. In Cuba, Cuban men, and of course women, govern.

Title III (of the Helms-Burton) is no worse than I or II, they are part of the toolkit used against the entire people of Cuba, simply to rob us of our lands, steal our homes, take possession of the few natural resources, and seduce and buy our people. All this to punish us for the bad example so many oppressed peoples would like to follow.

No one is going to steal from us, not by seduction or by force, “the homeland that our forefathers won on foot”, as Rubén Martínez Villena said in his forceful verses.

Cuba continues to have confidence in its strengths, in its dignity and also in the strength and dignity of other sovereign, independent nations. But we continue to believe in the U.S. people, in the homeland of Lincoln, who are ashamed of those who violate universal law in the name of the entire nation.

And take note, if history holds answers, that on a day like this, April 11, 1959, exactly 60 years ago, Fidel said, and with this I will conclude:
“Our people will be greater, the greater the obstacles we face; history will say more of our people, the more difficulties that must be overcome; the future will bring more justice, the more we are slandered today; and all that anyone can say will be that a society was organized here which all the world’s people could visit to learn what justice was, what democracy was, and we were able to defend this and sustain it, and, although we do not know what fate has in store for us, we do have the certainty to say that our Revolution will triumph because we will be able to defend it, and that our people will perish, if we must perish to defend it.”

Let us defend these convictions in massive popular demonstrations, in all of Cuba, this coming May Day.

“See you in the homeland’s plazas, because we are Cuba and we are continuity!

Homeland or Death!

We will always triumph!

(Ovation.)

As our population has noted, a series of measures have been underway for months in order to reinforce the combat capacity and readiness of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the country’s entire defense system, under the strategic conception of the war of all the people, as established in the Constitution of the Republic we have just proclaimed.

At the same time, a group of decisions has been adopted to guide the performance of our economy, to resist and overcome new obstacles imposed by the tightening of the economic and financial blockade, without renouncing development programs that are underway.

Thus, we must remain alert and aware that we could face additional difficulties and that the situation could worsen in coming months. It is not a question of returning to the most difficult times of the Special Period in the 1990s. The current panorama is different, with the diversification of the economy, but we must always prepare for the worst variant.

It is imperative that efforts be redoubled to increase national production, especially food; review all expenses to avoid those that are not absolutely necessary; ensure more efficient use of energy resources, especially gasoline, which includes ending existing theft and assuming conservation as a firm guideline for leaders, from the national level to the local, and among compatriots in general.

Over 60 years, facing aggression and threats, Cubans have shown the iron will to resist and overcome the most difficult circumstances. Despite its immense power, imperialism does not possess the capacity to break the dignity of a united people, proud of its history and of the freedom conquered with so much sacrifice. Cuba has already shown that, yes, we could, yes, we can, and will always be able to resist, fight, and emerge victorious. (Applause). There is no other alternative.

That’s all for now.
Thank you very much.
(Ovation).

Also in attendance were President of the Councils of Ministers and State Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; José Ramón Machado Ventura, Party second secretary; and National Assembly President Esteban Lazo.

In his speech, Raúl emphasized that this Constitution gives continuity to the country’s first revolutionary constitution proclaimed in Guáimaro, exactly 150 years ago, by “preserving the unity of all Cubans, the homeland’s sovereignty and independence, as fundamental pillars.”

(Source:Granma)

Lazo announced the closing of the extraordinary session and affirmed that the Constitution was proclaimed today, April 10, to guide the country’s present and future.
Raúl came down from the Presidential platform and shook hands with members of the Councils of Ministers sitting in the first row, while Díaz-Canel greeted deputies and Council of State and Ministers members sitting on the platform. A shout of “Viva la Revolución!” rang out, followed by a unanimous “Viva!” and prolonged applause.

We will not renounce any of our principles
While the Raúl commented that the tone used by the United States with respect to Cuba has become increasingly threatening, he reaffirmed that we will never abandon the duty to act in solidarity with Venezuela, or renounce any of our principles.

We have let the U.S. administration know, with clarity, firmness and serenity, through direct diplomatic channels and publicly, that Cuba is not afraid of threats, and that our vocation for peace and understanding is accompanied by the unshakeable determination and sovereign right of Cubans to defend the future of our nation without foreign interference, he insisted.

At the same time, he said we must be aware that additional difficulties may come and that the economic situation could worsen in coming months, although it is not a question of returning to the special period if the 1990s, because today the economy is more diversified.
Cuba has shown that, yes, we could, yes, we can, and will always resist, fight, and triumph, there is no other alternative, Raúl said to concluded his speech, which was followed by applause from deputies and guests who all rose to their feet.

The new Constitution guarantees the Revolution’s continuity and the irrevocability of socialism

Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, first Party secretary, upon proclaiming the new Constitution, stated that the opportunity constituted an exceptional privilege since this is the second time he has had the responsibility.

“On February 24, 1976, 43 years ago, the Comandante en Jefe, before traveling abroad to fulfill an obligatory commitment, asked me to take his place during the Proclamation event,” he recalled.

The chosen date, he said, is not accidental; 150 years ago Cuba’s Mambi freedom fighters, gathered in a Constituent Assembly, and agreed on our first revolutionary Constitution.

That text, he recalled, projected the importance of unity, freedom, independence, and recognition of equality among all Cubans.

This Constitution represents continuity, Raúl said, safeguarding the unity of all Cubans and the independence and sovereignty of the homeland.
Guáimaro, he recalled, was followed by the Constitutions of Jimaguayú and La Yaya, as a continuation of the same process.

It is worth recalling, he said, that despite the Mambi struggle, the desired freedom was not achieved and the victory was cut short by U.S. intervention.

Continuing the historical review, he noted that under U.S. military occupation, the Constitution of 1901 was approved, which included the infamous Platt Amendment.
Next came the Constitution of 1940 that reflected many of the Cuban people’s longings, during a period of struggle that impacted the approval of a text that was ahead of its time, including prohibitions on discrimination and large landholdings. Nonetheless, many of its postulates remained dead letter since no legislative effort to concretize the stated ideals was possible under those conditions.

It remained in effect, Raúl continued, until the 1952 coup by Fulgencio Batista, which catalyzed the revolutionary movement, whose program was synthesized in Fidel’s “History will absolve me” statement, following the Moncada assault.

(Source: Granma)

Alina Balseiro Gutiérrez, president of the electoral body, told the press that the results are favorable and in them the massiveness of Cubans stands out, since on this occasion three percentage points were registered above for the same period during the second stage of the general elections of March 2018.

The official also explained that this result is preliminary and that on Monday the results will be released with a closing date of six in the afternoon this Sunday, although the official figures will be public once the process of reviewing, organizing and validating the results ends, which will happen in the next few days.

From seven o’clock in the morning, more than 24,000 polling stations opened their doors throughout the country, to which the population flocked to express its vote on a text that introduces modifications in the structure of the State and recognizes private property as a supplementary actor in the national economy.

The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, exercised his right to vote in an electoral college in the capital municipality of Playa, to endorse the new Constitution of the Republic of Cuba. After depositing his ballot, Raúl exchanged with the pioneers who guarded the ballot boxes and with the members of the polling station.

Around 8:30 a.m. Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of the Councils of State and Ministers, exercised this right and told the press that the Constitution that was endorsed, now strengthened thanks to the popular consultation to which it was subjected, is also to give continuity to the Revolution and Socialism, to perfect it, and reaffirms the unity of Cubans, immersed in economic tasks and preparation for defense.

Salvador Valdés Mesa, first vice-president of the Councils of State and Ministers, said that the new Magna Carta responds to the current and future interests of the people and even after a multitudinous popular consultation experienced the modification of 60% of its articles, which evidences its democratic character.

José Ramón Machado Ventura, Second Secretary of the PCC, highlighted the transparency and popular participation in the entire process of analysis, debate and collective construction of the document, which contributed to its improvement.

The vice president of the Council of State, Inés María Chapman, said, once the new constitution had been endorsed, a period of intense legislative activity was taking place to update fifty laws and another important group of norms and regulations, among them the Family Code, regulations related to physical planning, water use, foreign investment, private work, the environment and the electoral law itself.

(ACN)

According to the President of the commission, Alina Balseiro, about 7,524,318 citizens over 16 years attended the polls, a figure that will grow on Monday when the CEN offers preliminary results during a press briefing.

The day was quiet and with a massive popular protagonism, traditional scene on the island, said the official, who acknowledged the population for their participation.

The 24,000 polling stations established in Cuba closed at 18:00 local time, and the members of the polling centers opened the ballot boxes to count the votes, a process that is public and hosted thousands of neighbors in the 15 provinces.

Although the details of the referendum will not be known until Monday afternoon, in terms of number of Yes votes, those that reflect the No vote and the annulled ones, media and witnesses present predict a clear support for the Constitution to replace the one in force since 1976.

(Prensa Latina)

On his Twitter account, the Venezuelan head of State described the voting as historic, and noted that ‘it will mark the course of new victories for the Cuban Revolution.’

Likewise, Maduro highlighted the efforts to lead the constitutional process by the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Raul Castro, and President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

For her part, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said at the International Assembly of the Peoples in Caracas on Sunday that with the electoral process, Cuban citizens ratified the consolidation of the socialist model.

More than eight million Cubans were called to exercise their right to free, direct and secret vote in more than 25,340 polling stations nationwide on Sunday, and 81.53 percent of them cast their vote, accounting for 7,524,318 people.

According to preliminary statistics from the Electoral Commission in Cuba, participation in the referendum is 3 percent higher than in the general elections held in 2018.

(Prensa Latina)

Miriam Iluminada Rech, coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution in the 57th precinct in Playa municipality, where President Miguel Diaz-Canel voted just a few hours ago, affirmed that a revolutionary town is the one who is voting on a new Constitution.

Among the motivations of Cubans to attend the democratic event, Rech mentioned the greatness of the Revolution and the values it fosters such as humility and humanism.

‘Because this Revolution as our Commander in Chief, Fidel Castro, said, is of the humble and for the humble and that is us Cubans, a humble but honest people with an impeccable morality’, she said.

In as much, Mara Valdes, neighbor of that municipality, assumed as a right and a duty her participation in the referendum and to support the new Magna Carta.

‘Certainly (the law of laws) is more appropriate to the new times and I think it will benefit us a lot because it is much wider and more inclusive,’ she said.

At the same time, Merida Cano, 75, recalled that in Cuba the text was discussed in each neighborhood, work centers, and the people expressed their criteria, so, she said, that is in the later a duty compliance with what is established in that law.

She also warned that Cuba’s vote for the ratification of the new Constitution represents the support for Venezuela, which is in the sights of the United States.

Cano also stated that Washington dreams on Venezuela´s fall because it considers that the domino effect can defeat the Cuban Revolution, something that it has not been able to do in 60 years.

She also pointed out that the majority of the Cuban people will demonstrate with the vote yes their commitment to the continuity of the socialist project of the country and its solidarity with the Venezuelan Government and people.

This is until the last breath, she concluded.

(Prensa Latina)