“I want the concept of homeland to have a greater scope, that on referring to our country we are referring to the great America that our small homelands make up.”

It was very clear that the visionary Fidel was thinking and planning to build that great homeland, a dream frustrated over a hundred years of colonialism and an annexed Republic.

The founding of ALBA, in December 2004, was undoubtedly one of the greatest expressions of unity and solidarity in Latin American and Caribbean history.

ALBA is an institution as inspiring as it is necessary, and represents a unique legacy, which must be taken care of, strengthened and defended. To renounce unity in these times is the worst act that individuals and governments can commit, as it would be to play into the hands of the imperialist forces that threaten, attack, and want to reconquer us by applying colonialist recipes like the Monroe Doctrine.

That moment when two of the most outstanding men of the 20th and 21st centuries, Fidel and Chávez, signed in Cuba the declaration that founded ALBA, on December 14, 2004, soon began to bear fruit.

Five years later, on October 19, 2009, Fidel wrote in one of his reflections: “ALBA, created by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Cuba, inspired by the ideas of Bolívar and Martí, as an unprecedented example of revolutionary solidarity, has shown how much can be achieved in just five years of peaceful cooperation.”

Thus emerged the medical missions of hundreds of thousands of Cuban doctors who have offered their valuable services in the most remote geographical spaces of Latin America, the Caribbean, and also Africa and Asia.

The Ecuadorian, Nicaraguan and other peoples will forever remember those Cuban specialists who undertook genetic studies to then embark on the major battle to rehabilitate disabled persons, or improve the quality of life of hundreds of thousands of children of the world’s most deprived

Before the impressive progress of plans and programs in health, education, culture, sport and others, Fidel, during the Latin American School of Medicine’s first graduation ceremony, on August 20, 2005, expressed: “However, everything that I have said so far pales in comparison with the colossal movement that is being promoted by Venezuela and Cuba to train doctors ready to march in the front line of the Bolivarian dawn. Thanks to this, and as part of the Barrio Adentro Mission devised by President Hugo Chávez, 22,043 Venezuelan undergraduates have now embarked on their pre-med studies in the 7,898 Barrio Adentro surgeries, in close cooperation with the Venezuelan Ministries of Higher Education and Public Health. On October 3, they will begin their first year studies in Medicine. In only ten years time, 40,000 will be graduating.”

As of September 2018, the Miracle Mission had carried out 5,600,000 eye operations in 37 countries.

Through the Cuban Yo sí puedo (Yes, I Can) literacy program, up until February 2019, more than 10 million people in 32 countries had been taught to read and write, and three nations have already been declared free of illiteracy.

ALBA, despite ups and downs, is the heart of unity and solidarity among our peoples, and as such we must defend and consolidate it.

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS:

- High level of political coordination in regional and multilateral organizations, in defense of the principles of international law, the postulates of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, and mutual solidarity.

- Three countries of Our America were declared “Territories Free of Illiteracy”: Venezuela (2005), Bolivia (2008) and Nicaragua (2009).

- The Miracle Mission has returned eyesight, free of charge, to more than five million people. Additionally, it has offered more than 27 million ophthalmological consultations, and provided more than 41 million pairs of glasses.

- The Miracle Mission has privileged mainly low-income people who never received medical attention for their ophthalmological conditions.

- As part of the Genetic and Psychosocial Clinical Study of People with Disabilities, more than one million people in six countries have been identified as in need of support. More than two million consultations have been carried out, and more than 1 million technical aids such as prosthetics provided.

- The Genetic and Psychosocial Clinical Study of People with Disabilities, as a program, has also helped integrate patients into society, without discrimination, while promoting their individual potential.

- More than 2,000 young people from Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa are being trained as community doctors, with a profound social vocation and high level of scientific, technical, ethical and humanistic education, at the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), with campuses in Cuba and Venezuela.

- Four editions of the ALBA Games were held, with the participation of more than 10,000 athletes from 31 nations.

- As a consequence of the earthquake of January 12, 2010, in Haiti, ALBA-TCP member countries approved an action plan and contributed to the reconstruction and promotion of the development of this sister Caribbean nation, in the fields of health, finance, energy, agriculture and food sovereignty, education, construction, security, transport and logistics.

- The organization has proposed the construction and consolidation of a Space for Interdependence, Sovereignty and Economic Solidarity through the People’s Trade Agreement, the SUCRE currency, and the Bank of ALBA.

ALBA staunchly condemns the United States’ genocidal economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba.

The encounter, which took place in Caracas, Venezuela, March 5, was held at a time when the Bolivarian nation is facing increasing attacks from abroad, spearheaded by the United States, intent on destroying progressive movements across the entire region.

The message from the Summit was clear: Our America has waited 200 years for its true integration and independence and if this is to be achieved we must continue to advance along the path traveled over recent decades.

Meanwhile, President Nicolás Maduro made the most of the Summit to call for the revival of key regional organizations created in recent years, such as the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

The United States plans to destroy our countries and undermine the unity achieved in recent decades which put an end to years of regional fragmentation that opened the way for foreign intervention.

“These platforms express the dreams of the liberators, to unite and integrate as a single region,” stated Maduro.

DEFENDING VENEZUELA MEANS DEFENDING OUR AMERICA

Bolivian President Evo Morales called for unity among the peoples and governments of Latin America in the struggle against U.S. interventionist and neoliberal policies.

In this sense, he highlighted the words of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz during his remarks at the Summit, who noted that the defense of Venezuela is the strategic and urgent task of ALBA.

Evo went on to explain that the United States wants Latin American governments to be submissive. “But we are dignified. Here we are with the people, with dignity, and with sovereignty,” he noted, adding that the current generation draws hope and inspiration from the example of the historic leaders of Our America who fought against colonial rule.

“We are countries seeking equality for humanity,” stated the regional leader and Bolivia’s first Indigenous President.

“As President,” he noted “I must continue struggling for integration. Our governments cannot be accomplices to intervention in Venezuela.”

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of Suriname, Yldiz Pollack-Beighle, stated that “Dialogue, diplomacy and bilateral commitments are the key to advancing in any field. We reiterate that our region must remain a zone of peace under any circumstance,” before noting that the Venezuelan people, with Chávez’s legacy as their guide, can resolve their own problems with no need for foreign agents.

ALBA: THE CREATION OF TWO GIANTS

The Summit also coincided with the fifth anniversary of the death of the leader of the Bolivarian Revolution, Comandante Hugo Chávez, who together with Fidel, came up with the idea for ALBA.

“We are sure that the seed planted by Fidel and Chávez has already borne fruit and will continue to multiply,” stated Nicaraguan President Comandante Daniel Ortega, during his remarks at the 15th ALBA Summit.

Although some predicted that ALBA would not last, added Ortega, we can state that the work that they built continues to stand firm. “Here, we are all reaffirming the principles of peace,” he said.

“Together we were able to build the solid bloc that is ALBA and which also led to the creation of CELAC,” noted the Nicaraguan leader. “The creation of CELAC, would not have been possible if it weren’t for ALBA-TPC.”

In this same vein, Ortega explained that with Cuba’s participation in the Summit of the Americas held in Panama in 2015, Latin America and the Caribbean demonstrated great maturity and that the principles enshrined in the United Nations were beginning to be respected.

“How far we have come,” he stated, before criticizing recent attempts by certain governments to take away Venezuela’s right to attend regional events like the upcoming Summit of the Americas, scheduled to take place mid-April in Lima, Peru.

Ortega criticized that, in doing so, these governments are interfering in the internal affairs of Venezuela. “It is simply an irrational attitude,” he stated.

Here we are fighting against policies that are the essence of imperialism and have been the essence of colonialism throughout history: first they occupy us to then plunder us, he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Nicaraguan President went on to recall that Fidel and Chávez practiced and promoted a policy of justice, generosity, and of helping people all over the world.

What is more, Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit highlighted the legacy of Chávez in his efforts to integrate the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean, noting that this had always been the aspiration of Caribbean leaders, and an endeavor which Chávez had worked hard to achieve, emphasizing the role of ALBA and Petrocaribe in promoting greater unity among nations of the region.

Regarding the decision to rescind President Nicolás Maduro’s invitation to the 8th Summit of the Americas, the Caribbean leader noted that by failing to condemn such actions, countries of the region would be undermining the legacy and leadership of Hugo Chávez.

In his remarks, Camilo Gonsalves, heading the delegation from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, referred to the situation created by the Lima group, noting that all nations must be included as expressed in the principles that led to the creation of such bodies.

Meanwhile, the opportunities to continue strengthening economic integration among the bloc were another key issue addressed during the Summit.

In this sense, President Nicolás Maduro announced that another meeting will be held in coming weeks to draw up a joint ALBA plan toward enhancing the economies of member states.

Also in attendance at the Summit was special guest and Puerto Rican independence activist Oscar López Rivera, a symbol of Latin American and Caribbean resistance who spent over 30 years unjustly incarcerated in U.S. prisons.

(Granma)

The moving first public activity of the gathering brought together heads of state and delegations on a terrace of the Venezuelan government headquarters to witness together the ceremony held daily, at 4:25 p.m. – the time at which Chávez passed away – to honor the Latin American leader with the firing of a cannon salute from the Cuartel de la Montaña.

This was followed by the official Summit photo and a greeting to the Venezuelan people who for a few hours had been gathering on Avenida Urdaneta, located close to the government institution. I bring you a loving, committed and revolutionary greeting from ALBA to Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro Moros said amid applause, accompanied by Presidents Raúl Castro Ruz, Daniel Ortega Saavedra and Evo Morales Ayma, as well as the Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, and other heads of delegations and guests.

Amid cheers from the people, the fifth anniversary of Chávez’s death was commemorated. We remember him with a smile of commitment to the future, not tears, Maduro stressed. Chávez is energy, he is a challenge, he became millions and we must be proud of having accompanied him in life, he added, before thanking Venezuelans for the warm welcome extended to those attending the Summit of the regional mechanism founded in December 2004 by Comandantes Fidel and Chávez.

Once in the Ayacucho Hall, where the meeting was held, the Venezuelan leader welcomed the heads of delegations and offered a summary of the issues discussed in the private meeting of the Summit, including the need to increase exchanges between ALBA countries and boost work with other integration organizations such as UNASUR and CELAC. In addition, the participation of ALBA-TCP member nations in the upcoming Summit of the Americas to be held in Peru was discussed. In this regard, Maduro expressed gratitude for the solidarity expressed in the face of the attacks to which his country is victim on the part of the so-called Lima Group.

The Cuban President, who was the first to speak following his Venezuelan host, referred to this unconditional support, defining “the joint defense of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” as a strategic and urgent task of ALBA.

ALBA-TCP countries called to work to reinvigorate the integration of the different regional organizations. Photo: Venezuelan Foreign Ministry
The threats to peace and stability in this country, Raúl reiterated, represent a threat to regional stability and peace. “We proclaim unwavering support for the Bolivarian Revolution and the civic-military union of its people, led by their President Nicolás Maduro,” he stressed.

In his energetic speech, the Army General condemned the coercive, unilateral measures and external interference against the Bolivarian and Chavista process, which threaten the dialogue among Venezuelans.

“We reject the exclusion of President Nicolás Maduro from the 8th Summit of the Americas. This illegal decision is unacceptable and interventionist, whilst it takes the hemisphere back to stages that appeared to have been overcome,” he noted.

“Nor do we recognize any moral authority of the discredited Organization of American States (OAS) to give lessons in democracy, governability or constitutionality.

“The only solution to the problems of Venezuelans is in the hands of Venezuelans themselves,” Raúl concluded.

This was precisely the spirit that prevailed in the gathering of Latin American and Caribbean brothers and sisters, which represented support for the Bolivarian Revolution and the legacy of Comandante Chávez, who five years after his death, lives on in the determination and desire to advance of the courageous Venezuelan people.

(Granma)

(Council of State transcript / GI translation)

Compañero Nicolás Maduro Moros, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Esteemed Heads of State and Government; Esteemed Heads of delegations and guests: This March 5, on which we commemorate the fifth anniversary of the passing of President Hugo Chávez Frías, founder together with Fidel of ALBA, my first words are dedicated to reaffirming our tribute to his work and his example and the unwavering loyalty to his legacy.

Today, ALBA has as its strategic and urgent task the joint defense of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The military threat, hostility and economic aggression of U.S. imperialism against Venezuela; the neoliberal onslaught to reverse the social gains; the interference against the sovereignty of progressive governments; the attempts to dismantle the progress in the integration of Latin America and the Caribbean, destabilize the region and pose risks to regional peace and security. The United States, since 1999 when Comandante Hugo Chávez became President, and even more so when compañero Nicolás Maduro did so, has resorted to methods of unconventional warfare, with the aim of defeating this country, the owner of immense riches coveted by imperialism.

President Donald Trump has just renewed the executive order that declares Venezuela an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. The threats to peace and stability in Venezuela also represent a threat to regional peace and stability. Some appear to have forgotten the lessons of the past, the cruel years of the military dictatorships, the impact of neoliberalism; that they attempt to reinstate the disastrous consequences that the policies of extortion, humiliation and isolation had for our region that, as then, have the United States as their chief articulator.

They openly announce the full validity and relevance of the Monroe Doctrine which proclaims colonial subordination to the governments and corporations of Washington and that, as Bolívar warned, plagued Our America with sorrow and misery in the name of liberty. Once again, they underestimate our peoples. We proclaim unwavering support for the Bolivarian Revolution and the civic-military union of its people, led by their President, compañero Nicolás Maduro Moros.

We condemn the unilateral coercive measures and external interference against the Bolivarian and Chavista process that threaten the peace and dialogue between Venezuelans, with destabilizing purposes, and create hardships for its population. Cease the economic aggression against Venezuela so that its people can enjoy the rights conquered by their Revolution. We reject the exclusion of President Nicolás Maduro from the 8th Summit of the Americas.

This illegal decision is unacceptable and interventionist, whilst it takes the hemisphere back to stages that appeared to have been overcome. Exclusions do not contribute at all to peace, dialogue or hemispheric understanding. It is unacceptable that a group of countries, with no right or mandate, intend to speak for the region and serve as an instrument of aggression against a member of the Latin American and Caribbean family, using as a pretext an alleged rupture of the democratic order, precisely in a country that has undertaken more than twenty electoral processes and has now called presidential elections, as was previously demanded, even via violent methods.

Why don’t they denounce the covert coup d’états, the massacres, the forced disappearances suffered by the peoples of the region? Nor do we recognize any moral authority of the discredited Organization of American States (OAS) to give lessons in democracy, governability or constitutionality. They violate the postulates of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, signed by Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, during the 2nd CELAC Summit, in Havana, and evade strict compliance with the obligation not to interfere, directly or indirectly, in the internal affairs of any other state, and observe the principles of national sovereignty, equality of rights and the self-determination of the peoples.

The only solution to the problems of Venezuelans is in the hands of Venezuelans themselves. Esteemed compañeros: I speak on behalf of our Revolution and our people, as will any other Cuban compatriot from this position in the future, who will always know, as Fidel believed, that “Our peoples have no future without unity, without integration.” Bolívar and Martí, Fidel and Chávez bequeathed us invaluable teachings, among them loyalty to principles. Their lessons show us the course to follow in this decisive hour of the Great Homeland, which calls for our unity to forge together our second and definitive independence. Thank you very much. (Applause).

The Bolivarian leader was accompanied by Heads of State and officials attending the 15th Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Agreement (ALBA-TCP), in an act recalling the legacy of Comandante Hugo Chávez.

Five years after the death of the former President of Venezuela, the Chavista people are “victorious and ready to continue advancing,” he stated.

Regarding the country’s upcoming elections scheduled for May 20, the Head of State called on citizens to vote for peace and national unity, no matter their political affiliation.

Meanwhile, a cannon salute was held at the Cuartel de la Montaña, as part of commemorative activities marking five years since the death of the leader of the Bolivarian Revolution.

The ceremony was also attended by members of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB), as well as relatives of the socialist leader, including his daughters María Gabriela Chávez and Rosa Virginia Chávez.

(Granma)

(Council of State transcript – GI translation)

Dear compañero Nicolás Maduro, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela;

Venezuelan compañeros and compañeras;

Representatives of ALBA-TCP sister nations and all other Latin American and Caribbean States;

Compatriots:

I will be very brief, like the majority of my speeches tend to be, also in this case not to strain my voice which, as you will note, is slightly affected and, nonetheless, there still remains much to discuss (Applause). I was saying that there still remains much to discuss and fight for in this country (Applause), which could see my voice become permanently hoarse.

The recent history of Our America summons us here today to commemorate various events:

The 22nd anniversary of the first encounter between Comandante Hugo Chávez Frías and Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz; the starting point of an infinite friendship and loyalty between the Cuban Revolution and Bolivarian Revolution.

Sixteen years since the signing of the Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement between Cuba and Venezuela, which established the bases of an economic, commercial and cooperation relationship, which has brought great benefits and human experiences to both peoples.

We are also celebrating the 12th anniversary of the creation, in Havana, of what was first the Alternative and later became the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples’ Trade Agreement; a new form of organization to coordinate and promote the cooperation and development of member states.

We can highlight significant and eloquent results from these experiences:

Four countries have been freed of illiteracy and have made progress in providing their people with education, which constitutes the starting point for all great revolutionary transformations in any society.

Millions of Latin Americans have received free health services and over one million seven hundred thousand have had their eyesight restored.

A new, just, and complementary type of trade, free of protectionisms, began to unfold.

In an act of altruism, Venezuela created solidary trade and cooperation mechanisms to share part of its oil wealth and promote integrationist socio-economic changes in the region, without which many countries would not have been able to withstand the international crisis.

It is imperative today, to call on the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean to stand in solidarity with this Bolivarian, anti-imperialist and immensely generous Venezuela – to whom we are so grateful – currently the victim of a great siege and unprecedented hostility by forces historically opposed to progress in our region.

Supporting Venezuela, at a time of attacks by the oligarchy, imperialism and neoliberalism, also means fighting for full Latin American and Caribbean emancipation and integration.

Working in solidarity with Venezuela means being aware of what could happen in this hemisphere if those looking to reconquer the immense riches of this country and promote hate and conflict, at the expense of free determination and peace, to which Heads of State of the region pledged, here in Havana in 2014, by signing the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace; were to prevail.

Solidarity, shared ideas and joint action are what the peoples of Our America need right now, in this time of difficulties and growing challenges.

Fidel and Chávez set the goals, the ideas, and showed the way with their enduring example. It is down to all of us to turn their legacy into the invincible trench from which to defend the American Homeland (Applause).

Martí said: “Let Venezuela call on me to serve her: I am her son.” On this memorable occasion we Cubans reaffirm: Venezuela, we are your children!

Thank you very much (Applause).

As part of tributes, encounters will take place, as have been held over the past three years, since 2013, organized by the Young Communist League (UJC) in collaboration with other Cuban youth and student movements and organizations as part of the cultural initiative Los amigos del Amigo (The Friends of the Friend).

Speaking to CAN, Pedro Ortega, UJC National Committee representative reported that the main event will be held July 28, at the Historic Morro-Cabaña Military Complex at 9pm, just after the traditional cannon firing ceremony, to celebrate the life of Venezuela’s eternal Comandante-President and Cuba’s best friend, as fittingly described by Fidel.

He also confirmed the presence, among other guests, of Aleidita daughter of Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara and Dr. Jorge González Pérez, the Ministry of Public Health’s National Teaching director, who will recall the Chávez they knew and admired, as well as the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, approaching his 90th birthday, and the extraordinary friendship between two great sons of Bolívar, Martí and Our America, two essential figures of modern history, brothers in the struggle and of dreams, noted Ortega.

(Juventud Rebelde)

“As in times of war, bases are used as storage centers, strategic battle and technical hubs. In regards to society, we must tackle poverty and need large storage and organizational centers, where the people’s strength is concentrated in the fight against poverty,” he stated, quoting the leader of the Bolivarian Revolution, Hugo Chávez.

Istúriz also noted, “We have a food program in every single one of the Centers, and the respective teams have already conducted studies to identify where malnutrition, and calorie and protein deficiencies are prevalent, these families are prioritized through the Mercal Household Food Program.”

The Bases are essentially logistical and operational centers built by the Venezuelan government in 1,500 communities suffering from extreme poverty in order to guarantee health, food, social and educational services to the people.

(AVN)

According to the text, the parties signed the agreement “conscious of their common interest to promote and encourage the progress of their respective economies and the reciprocal benefits resulting from cooperation which provides effective results in regards to the economic and social progress of their respective countries and the integration of Latin America and the Caribbean.”

The agreement also covers the areas of sport, energy, culture, agriculture, education and health, giving priority to the latter two with the creation of the Misión Barrio Adentro (Into the Neighborhood Mission), the Training Program for Latin American Doctors, Operation Miracle, which began four years after the agreement; and Misión Sonrisa (Mission Smile).

The agreement has six articles which outline, for example, that in the implementation of cooperation projects “the participation of public and private sector organizations and entities of both countries will be considered and, where necessary, of universities, research bodies and non-governmental organizations.” Among other matters, it stipulates that Cuba will provide free medical services, specialists and health technicians to Venezuela, to work in locations where these personnel are not available. Meanwhile, Venezuela will cover accommodation costs, meals and internal transportation.

It also commits to a “mechanism for compliance and monitoring of cooperation activities under this Agreement,” for which “the parties will establish a Joint Committee composed of representatives of both Governments, which will meet every year alternately in Caracas and Havana.”

The text adds that this Joint Commission will establish working groups under the responsibility of the respective ministers of each country, to facilitate cooperative relations in various sectors as defined in the Agreement.

The first measure contained within the Agreement to be implemented took place 30 days after its signing with the arrival, on November 30, 2000, of the first flight of patients corresponding to the Care Program for Venezuelan Patients in Cuba.

46 patients and 45 companions arrived on the island. Since then, every year the program has grown. Up until 2014, over 1,750,000 lives had been saved, 780 million medical consultations were performed and there were 477 flights to Cuba, benefiting 60,000 people, through these health cooperation agreements, according to the Venezuelan Vice Minister of Supreme Social Happiness, Carolina Cestari.

The health care network in this period also conducted over 10,000 consultations in neighborhoods, villages and rural areas, saving the lives of more than 1.75 million Venezuelans, according to figures from the Venezuelan Ministry of Health.

(Granma)

It was an especially hot day in the Villa Bolívar neighborhood, where 150 dwellings had been erected for families left homeless by hurricanes; the hustle and bustle was unusual. Word traveled fast, yes, Chávez and Fidel were there, speaking to all of Venezuela over the air.

Among the first announcements was that the broadcast coincided with the 50,000th surgery performed by Operation Miracle, to restore the sight of Ángel Quintero.

Operation Miracle had been launched the previous year – July 8, 2004 – thanks to the leadership of these two men, who in Sandino intended to sign an even more ambitious agreement to create Misión Milagro (Mission Miracle), emerging as a result of expectations generated by the original project, to expand health care services in Venezuela via the Robinson and Barrio Adentro missions.

Restoring the sight of millions of low-income patients, without access to specialized ophthalmology services, was the purpose of the mission, with the initial effort involving patients traveling to Cuba for surgery, where clinics equipped with the latest technology existed.

The Sandino Commitment, a name which history would assign to the agreement, laid the groundwork for extending the program throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, with the goal of treating a million people over the next 10 years.

Dr. Norberto de J. Ramos González, head of the Operation Miracle department at Cuba’s Medical Collaboration Headquarters in Havana, in charge of national clinics, itinerant teams and the Henry Reeve Brigade’s ophthalmology contingent, told Granma that, as of July, a total of 2,728,229 surgeries have been performed, in 17 countries, including Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, Panama, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Haiti, Argentina, Jamaica, St. Lucie, Angola and Mali, in 49 ophthalmology clinics.

Dr. Ramos reported that the Mission is now functioning in 14 countries, with 420 professionals working in 43 clinics.

Over the years the most common ailments treated have been pterygium, cataracts, glaucoma and strabismus, with not only surgery provided, but corrective eyeglasses as well, free of charge, to all who need them.

“Cuba and Venezuela are more united than ever in this battle for the dignity of our peoples, for the second independence of our homeland,” said President Chávez.

The Sandino Commitment is living proof of the determination to fulfill one’s duty; that is why Fidel said that expressing gratitude was prohibited.

The program lasted five hours and 40 minutes, and what emerged was an effort to overcome the exclusion of those with vision problems, and repay a social debt owed the humble.

They did not fail. The two peoples’ joint effort today reaches its first decade with the satisfaction that this noble program will continue to bring light to where it is most needed.

(Granma)