The decision reflects the excellent performance of the province’s people in the economic, political and social spheres, to which all sectors consistently contributed.
Economically the province has distinguished itself with the development of productive agricultural poles and the diversification of crops. Although it did not reach projections for the recently completed sugar harvest, stable results have been maintained over the last three years.

Housing program plans have been completed and the local production of construction materials increased.

In the sphere of services, the territory has made encouraging progress in the development of tourism, transportation, domestic commerce and computerization.
Progress in education, culture, health and sports has been made, and remarkable work was done in confronting COVID-19 and maintaining stability in health indicators.
Notable advances have been achieved in community cultural work, artistic education and the preservation of heritage sites.

Science and innovation institutions, led by the Party and government, with the active participation of Carlos Rafael Rodríguez University, had a favorable impact in a variety of sectors and local development projects.

The main political processes and programs of the Revolution have enjoyed broad popular support and participation.

Progress made in government work was noted during the last review conducted in the territory by the country’s national leadership.

In congratulating the province of Cienfuegos, the Political Bureau extends heartfelt recognition to the entire Cuban people, who have risen to the occasion in the face of adversity and starred in one of the most beautiful pages of heroism and dedication in defense of the nation and our colossal social justice project, despite continuous imperialist aggression.

For all these reasons, and more, the Political Bureau calls for commemorations of National Rebellion Day with great revolutionary and patriotic spirit, in close unity around the Party.

(Taken from Granma)

The mangroves form a tangled labyrinth and hide the shore, extending two kilometers inland. The revolutionaries stumble on the roots, fall. Their boots crack. Thorny trees and sharp edges tear their uniforms. Their weapons and backpacks are wet, valuable ammunition immersed.

They were delayed hours in the swamp. Years later, Che recalled the landing, “We were on firm ground, disoriented, stumbling, an army of shadows, of ghosts, walking as if guided by some psychological impulse.”

Seven days earlier, November 25, 1956, around 2:00am, they had departed from the Mexican port of Tuxpan, in the yacht Granma. The crossing to Cuba was plagued by rough seas, the overload, and both motors inoperative for more than 48 hours.

During the dawn hours December 2, the boat hit bottom at a site known as Los Cayuelos, about two kilometers from Las Coloradas beach, northeast of Cabo Cruz. After the slow paced march, interrupted by falls, fatigue and rest stops, the troops reached El Mijial on the 3rd, and the Varón Vega family prepared some chicken and cassava for them, soup for the weakest, and honey.

The march continued. In Agua Fina (December 4), they were again fed by campesinos, and during the night, by then the 5th, they reached Alegría de Pío. According to Che, “It was a small key covered with scrub, with a cane field on one side, and open to some coves on the other, with thick woods beginning farther away.”

Many took their boots off and put their socks in the sun to dry.

The doctors Faustino Pérez and Che began to dress the bleeding blisters. Later Ramiro Valdés handed out crackers and pieces of sausage. Almeida looked at his watch; it was 4:20 pm. Just 20 minutes later, the first shots rang out and the gunfire began.

The captain of the dictatorship’s troops called for surrender. Almeida responded as he fired, “No one here is surrendering,” and said to Che, “Put something on your neck, you’re really bleeding, let’s get out of here.”

Only three expeditionaries were not able to escape: Humberto Lamothe, Oscar Rodríguez and Israel Cabrera, the first martyrs. The rest of the rebels scattered.

Still firing, Fidel continued to give orders, and along with Juan Manuel Márquez and Universo Sánchez moved east into the field. Moving along in short stretches one at a time, Juan Manuel is lost. They return to look for him, and instead find Faustino Pérez. In the darkness of night, they hide in the scrub.

In the meantime, Raúl forms a group with Ciro Redondo, Efigenio Ameijeiras, René Rodríguez, Armando Rodríguez and César Gómez, while Almeida manages to pull together Che, Ramiro, Reynaldo Benítez and Rafael Chao.

Writing later about the struggles of this last group, Che said, “We walked until the night prevented us from advancing, and resolved to sleep together, in a pile, attacked by mosquitoes, gripped by hunger and thirst… This was our baptism by fire… this is how the Rebel Army would begin to be forged.”

(By Pedro Antonio García, diario Granma)