Granma | January 09, 2019
President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, was one of the first to send a message of congratulations to Cubans. Photo: Nicolás Maduro official Twitter account
THIS January 1, the President of the Councils of State and Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, congratulated the Cuban people and government on the 60th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution, tweeting: “Sunrise in #Cuba on the #60thAnniversary of the Revolution. Yes to the celebrations, to joy, to the tireless defense of all that the people of Cuba and their revolutionary government have built and established together. Happy New Year. #SomosCuba #SomosContinuidad.”
The President reiterated the importance of the date, and paid tribute to “those who in January 1959 put an end to the long night of the Batista dictatorship, and secured for Cuba the title of the Island of Liberty.”
Friends across the world also shared Cubans’ pride and joy, for a homeland where the vast achievements of these past 60 years are more than reason to celebrate, and to continue the defense of everything built thus far.
Leaders and political and social organizations from different parts of the globe sent their congratulatory messages to Cuba to mark the date.
VENEZUELA
President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, was one of the first to send a message of congratulations to Cubans.
“Throughout these 60 years, following the steps and teachings of the Apostle José Martí, this brave people, masterfully led by Fidel Castro Ruz, has faced and overcome immense challenges,” he expressed in a Foreign Ministry statement.
“We commemorate the anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution led by Comandante Fidel Castro. 60 years of sacrifices, struggle and blockade; the heroic Cuban people, an example of resistance and dignity before the world. Long live Cuba!” Maduro tweeted.
BOLIVIA
President of Bolivia Evo Morales also took to Twitter: “With the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, the light of hope and invincible will for the liberation of the peoples was born. We salute the victory of brother Comandante Fidel Castro and the courageous Cuban people over the imperialist dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista.”
NICARAGUA
Likewise, the President of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, sent greetings to the Cuban people, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Raúl Castro Ruz, and President Miguel Díaz-Canel, in an end of year televised address to the nation.
“We are a few hours away from the 60th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution; it was January 1, 1959, an inspiration, a solidary Revolution led by Fidel and Raúl,” the Sandinista leader stated.
We salute the people of Cuba, he continued, whom he described as “heroic” for having resisted attacks of all kinds, especially the blockade, while highlighting their progress “in these difficult conditions.”
Ortega recalled that this year Nicaragua celebrates the 40th anniversary of the triumph of the Sandinista Revolution, and the 20th anniversary of the Bolivarian Revolution led by Hugo Chávez.
CHINA
From geographically distant regions, but united by strong historical bonds of friendship and shared struggle, came messages of support, respect and admiration for the work of the Cuban Revolution.
On behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese government and people, President Xi Jinping congratulated Cuban leaders Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel for these 60 years of Revolution.
The Chinese President stressed that in the past 60 years, the Cuban government and people have seen great achievements in the construction of socialism, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba.
He also stressed the importance of the friendship between China and Cuba, and reiterated his willingness to further strengthen bilateral relations.
RUSSIA
Meanwhile, President of Russia Vladimir Putin congratulated his Cuban counterpart, as well as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, Raúl Castro Ruz, and recognized once again the importance for the world of the revolutionary process initiated January 1, 1959.
Putin noted that Cuba is a strategic partner and a reliable ally of Russia. He also stressed that bilateral relations are at their peak, and his trust that such efforts between the two nations will continue.
SOUTH AFRICA
In Pretoria, Cubans and South Africans celebrated the anniversary of the Revolution led by Fidel. The activity highlighted the historic ties between the Caribbean and African nations, which in 2019 celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations.
The achievements made in 2018 regarding the expansion of Cuba’s diplomatic ties with the world were highlighted, despite the increase in pressure and interference from the United States, and the continued economic, financial and commercial blockade.
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
The leader of the DPRK, Kim Jong-un, through his Deputy Minister of Foreign Relations, Ho Yong Bok, paid tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, with a floral wreath laid before images of the historic leaders of Cuba and North Korea, Fidel Castro and Kim Il-sung, at the Cuban embassy in that country.
PUERTO RICO
“The Cuban Revolution is an example of struggle for the peoples of the world, which is why U.S. imperialists and their allies have not ceased to try to destroy it for six decades,” read a message from the Communist Party of Puerto Rico (PCPR), on what the triumph of the Cuban Revolution has meant for the Latin American and Caribbean region.
VIETNAM
Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong, and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, conveyed their congratulations to the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Raúl Castro Ruz, and the Cuban President on the occasion of the island’s liberation from centuries of oppression.
AZERBAIJAN, TURKMENISTAN, AND UZBEKISTAN
In addition, the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan sent congratulatory messages to Cuban leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, and to his people on the 60th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution.
President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, congratulated the Cuban nation on its Liberation Day, and wished it eternal peace and prosperity.
For his part, President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, on behalf of the people and government of that country, wished the Cuban people continued progress.
Similarly, President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, stressed that the Uzbek-Cuban relations of friendship and cooperation, based on principles of respect and mutual interests, will continue to develop.
MONGOLIA
President of Mongolia, Khaltmaagiin Battulga, conveyed greetings to the people of Cuba on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution, in a message addressed to Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, president of the Councils of State and Ministers.
In his message, Battulga expressed: “My most sincere congratulations, on behalf of the people of Mongolia and myself, to you and the people of Cuba, on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Cuba, the historic 60th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution.”
Journal of People 