History Will Absolve Me

Fidel Castro

Spoken: 1953
Publisher: Editorial de Ciencias Sociales, La Habana, Cuba. 1975
Translated: Pedro Álvarez Tabío & Andrew Paul Booth (who rechecked the translation with the Spanish La historia me absolverá, same publisher, in 1981)
Transcription/Markup: Andrew Paul Booth/Brian Baggins
Online Version: 1997, Castro Internet Archive (marxists.org) 2001

Soviet Poster celebrating Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution

HONORABLE JUDGES:

Never has a lawyer had to practice his profession under such difficult conditions; never has such a number of overwhelming irregularities been committed against an accused man. In this case, counsel and defendant are one and the same. As attorney he has not even been able to take a look at the indictment. As accused, for the past seventy-six days he has been locked away in solitary confinement, held totally and absolutely incommunicado, in violation of every human and legal right.

He who speaks to you hates vanity with all his being, nor are his temperament or frame of mind inclined towards courtroom poses or sensationalism of any kind. If I have had to assume my own defense before this Court it is for two reasons. First: because I have been denied legal aid almost entirely, and second: only one who has been so deeply wounded, who has seen his country so forsaken and its justice trampled so, can speak at a moment like this with words that spring from the blood of his heart and the truth of his very gut.

Speech by Fidel Castro Ruz before Leaving for the Moncada Barracks on July 26, 1953

Design: JoP

Freedom or Death!

Comrades:

You may be victorious or defeated in a few hours, but hear this well, comrades! This movement will triumph anyway. If you are victorious tomorrow, Martí’s aspirations will became true sooner. If not, the gesture will serve to set an example for the Cuban people to take up the flag and keep going forward. The people will support us in the Eastern region and in the entire island. We the Youth of the Centennial of the Apostle, just as in 1868 and in 1895, here in the East we cry out for the first time: FREEDOM OR DEATH!

You already know the objective of the plan. Without any doubt, it is a dangerous plan and everyone coming with me tonight must do it of their own free will. You still have time to decide. Anyway some of you may have to stay behind because there are not enough weapons. Those who are determined to go, take a step forward. The slogan is not to kill, only as a last resort.

(Typed version-Council of State)
(Versiones Taquigráficas – Consejo de Estado)

The Cuban Revolution Began Today

Castro Leads July 26th Attack (1953)

A People’s Calendar

On this day in 1953, the Cuban Revolution began when approximately seventy rebels, led by Fidel and Raúl Castro, attacked two Cuban military installations, a battle that became the inspiration for the “July of 26th Movement“.

The communist rebels were decisively defeated: nine died in the fighting, fifty-six were executed, and Fidel himself was captured (shown) and sentenced to fifteen years in prison.

Castro under arrest after the Moncada attack, 1953. Source: Wikimedia Commons

In his subsequent trial, Fidel gave what is now known as his “History Will Absolve Me” speech, nearly four hours long, and ending with the words “Condemn me, it does not matter. History will absolve me.” Both Fidel and Raúl were later released as a part of general amnesty for political prisoners.

The Moncada Barracks in 2013 after extensive renovation. Source: Wikimedia Commons

The communist rebels fled to Mexico and began organizing to overthrow the Batista government. Several years later, they succeeded, finally ousting Batista on December 31st, 1958, replacing his government with a revolutionary socialist state.

The Cuban Revolution had powerful domestic and international repercussions. In particular, it made Cuba’s relationship with the United States significantly more antagonistic.

In the immediate aftermath of the revolution, Castro’s government began a program of nationalization, transforming Cuba’s economy and civil society. Castro’s Cuban government was also keen on international aid, providing more medical personnel to the developing world than all the G8 countries combined.

Today is celebrated in Cuba as the Day of the Revolution (Dia de la Revolución). Castro’s 26th of July Movement later reformed along communist lines, becoming the Communist Party in October of 1965.

Fidel Castro with fellow revolutionary rebels in Cuba 1959.
Photograph by Getty Images

SOURCE of Text: https://www.apeoplescalendar.org/calendar

‘End the Blockade against Cuba’, Bridges of Love Yells in Washington DC

teleSUR | July 25, 2021

Solidarity Groups with Cuba gather in Washington DC, Jul. 25, 2021. | Photo: Twitter/ @llopezglez

“We are walking to be able to send remittances…to reestablish the family reunification plan, and for Americans to travel freely to Cuba,” activist Carlos Lazo said.

On Sunday, solidarity groups and members of the “Bridges of Love” project arrived in Washington D.C. to demand an end to the U.S. blockade against Cuba.

‘Cuban Courts Operate Independently’, Top Court President Says

teleSUR | July 25, 2021

Thousands of people attend a rally in support of the Revolution, Havana, Cuba, Jul. 17, 2021. | Photo: EFE

“The recent questioning of the impartiality of our courts is part of the campaign to discredit Cuba,” TSP President Ruben Ferro said.

On Saturday, Cuba’s People’s Supreme Court (TSP) President Ruben Ferro discarded false allegations referring to alleged missing people cases and summary trials on the island due to July 11 protests.

‘Let’s Keep Alive Bolivar’s Integration Dream’, AMLO Says

teleSUR | July 24, 2021

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (C), Mexico DF, Mexico, Jul. 24, 2021. | Photo: Twitter/ @EduardomteleSUR

“Let’s say goodbye to impositions, interference, sanctions…Let’s apply the principles of non-intervention, self-determination of peoples, and peaceful solutions to disputes,” AMLO praised. 

Addressing the 21st Summit of Foreign Ministers from the Community of Latin American and the Caribbean States (CELAC) on Saturday, Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) called for a new political and economic integration that observes the region’s history, reality, and particular identities.