Portland brigadistas return from Cuba’s Century of Fidel Colloquium

Four young brigadistas from the Portland Action for Cuba (PAC) coalition — Mona, Je, John and Leo — attended Cuba’s First International Colloquium on the Centennial of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz as part of the Venceremos brigade. They gave a stirring report back on Sept. 8 about conditions they found in Cuba and the enduring spirit of the Cuban people.

Je was moved by dignitaries from around the world who spoke at the Colloquium in support of Cuba. Speakers from South Africa and Namibia described Fidel’s qualities as a military strategist when he helped lead the battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola. A Brazilian participant spoke about Fidel’s climate activism and a Guyanese speaker praised Cuba’s years of solidarity with Caribbean nations.

Brigadistas talked about the tens of thousands of Cubans in desperate need of health care that is now unavailable because of the U.S. blockade. People are waiting for surgery, ultrasounds for pregnant people, infant immunizations and cancer treatments. Infant mortality has doubled since the U.S.  imposed a fuel and oil blockade in January and only 30% of necessary medications are available.

Under these conditions, brigadistas talked about Cuba’s innovations: developing some of the world’s best vaccines for COVID-19 and a new one for Alzheimer’s, organizing a food shortage sharing system and a people’s militia. Last year Cuba graduated 30,185 international students from 62 countries!

Brigadistas described a power outage during a visit to a hospital. They were impressed by the Cubans’ persistence and what they could do without computers. At one hospital, workers installed solar panels overnight in the dark.

The delegation visited the Quisicuaba Farm Assisted Living Center, which cares for seniors, children and people with HIV, addictions and dementia. The center has 222 acres of land where workers produce food and raise livestock that provide healthy meals they adapt to each person’s needs. The brigadistas quoted José Marti: “The true medicine is not the one that cures but the one that prevents.”

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel spoke at the Colloquium on Aug. 11 about the Revolution’s hope in young people around the world. He said, “Fidel believed in the role of youth in the revolutionary process,” and stressed how important it is to “build solidarity networks. It is not enough to deliver speeches of support. Solidarity must be translated into concrete actions.” (For his full speech, see the Granma website or workers.org)

Diaz-Canal said, “Fidel is not the patron saint of Cuba, he belongs to all who fight for a better world.” Over 600,000 Cuban health care workers have served in more than 160 countries since 1963. Despite the U.S. blockade, there are currently up to 24,000 Cuban medical personnel active in more than 50 countries.

The report back ended with Fidel’s words: “Internationalism is the most beautiful essence of Marxism-Leninism and its ideals of solidarity and fraternity among peoples. Without internationalism the Cuban Revolution would not even exist. Being internationalists means paying off our own debt to humanity.” 

PAC is hosting Cuban activist Tamara Hansen from Canada on Oct 12. The coalition is planning a rally and teach-in on Oct 24 when the United Nations. votes on the resolution to end the U.S. blockade and will host the annual National Network on Cuba meeting in November.