the Cuban Internationalism
by Antiguan Graduates from Cuban Universities
The internationalist spirit of the Cuban Revolution, which has become established policy, can be traced right back to the very beginning of the revolutionary process.
When Fidel Castro came to power with the triumph of the Rebel Army, on January 1st 1959, there were dire health conditions in Cuba, especially in rural areas, just as there were widespread poverty and illiteracy.
Of the few young people from poor families, who had got the opportunity to study medicine, there were those who were waiting for five or more years, to save enough money to pay for graduation. It was the revolution that allowed them to graduate free of cost.
Several doctors, who were members of elite families, left the country, rather than participate in a new, socialized healthcare system. It was therefore necessary to train as many doctors as would be needed.
But the Cuban revolutionary leadership was never just concerned about Cuba. Theirs was the cause of human dignity. The immortal Ernesto Che’ Guevara, a medical doctor from Argentina, and who gave his life in Bolivia, while fighting to liberate the people of that country, was a passionate humanist and internationalist.
Che’ gave up his position in government, and role as head of the Central Bank of Cuba, to be a guerilla fighter and doctor on the African continent, among those struggling to liberate themselves from colonialism and white supremacy. That was in the true spirit of uplifting all humanity.
Today, as part of the revolutionary commitment born of that great internationalist vision, Cuba has positioned herself in the forefront of healthcare, not only for her own citizens, but for people around the world. Thousands of young people from around the world, primarily the Third World, have been trained as medical doctors
in Cuba, and Cuban doctors can be found working around the world.
All of the above has been accomplished by the extraordinary effort and revolutionary generosity of a people blockaded economically and financially, and under constant threat and hostility. The Cuban government and people know what they have had to do and what they must do for the survival of their revolution and for its internationalist thrust. The Cuban professionals fulfill their internationalist missions with great enthusiasm and pride.
We therefore reject and soundly denounce the repeated pronouncements made by the evil and inept Trump regime, in an effort to vilify the Cuban leadership and to demean the internationalist engagements of the Cuban professionals.
At this time, when the wealthiest nation in the history of the world finds itself in a deep health crisis which it should have averted; lacking the material preparation, the organization or the social capital, to deal with COVID-19, its leaders choose to be shamelessly loud in pouring scorn on Cuba, a little blockaded and struggling island in the Caribbean, that is coming to the rescue of even countries in the developed world.
Old people in this country would say, that they are taking shame and making fight.
SHAME ON THE TRUMP REGIME!
LONG LIVE THE INTERNATIONALIST SPIRIT OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION.
Che’ Guevara
