Remarks by the leader of the Cuban
Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz,
during the closing of the 7th Party
Congress, April 19, 2016
It constitutes a superhuman
effort to lead any people
in times of crisis. Without
them, the changes would
be impossible. In a meeting
such as this, which brings
together more than a
thousand representatives
chosen by the revolutionary
people themselves, who
delegated their authority to
them, for all it represents
the greatest honor they have
received in their lives, to
which is added the privilege
of being a revolutionary
which is the product of our
own consciousness.
Why did I become a socialist,
or more plainly, why did I
become a communist? That
word that expresses the most distorted and
maligned concept in history by those who
have the privilege of exploiting the poor,
dispossessed ever since they were deprived of
all the material wealth that work, talent and
human energy provide. Since when does man
live in this dilemma, throughout time without
limit. I know you do not need this explanation
but perhaps some listeners do.
I speak simply so it is better understood that
I am not ignorant, extremist, or blind, nor
did I acquire my ideology of my own accord
studying economics.
I did not have a tutor when I was a law and
political sciences student, subjects in which
they have a great influence. Of course then
I was around 20 years old and was fond of
sports and mountain climbing. Without a
tutor to help me in the study of Marxism-
Leninism; I was no more than a theorist and,
of course, had total confidence in the Soviet
Union. Lenin’s work violated after 70 years of
Revolution. What a history lesson! It can be
affirmed that it should not take another 70
years before another event like the Russian
Revolution occurs, in order that humanity
have another example of a magnificent
social revolution that marked a huge step
in the struggle against colonialism and its
inseparable companion, imperialism.
Perhaps, however, the greatest danger
hanging over the earth today derives from the
destructive power of modern weaponry which
could undermine the peace of the planet and
make human life on earth’s surface impossible.
The species would disappear like the
dinosaurs disappeared, perhaps there will be
time for new forms of intelligent life or maybe
the sun’s heat will grow until it melts all the
planets of the solar system and its satellites,
as a large number of scientists recognize. If
the theories of several of them are true, which
we laypeople are not unaware of, the practical
man must learn more and adapt to reality. If
the species survives a much longer space of
time the future generations will know much
more than we do, but first they will have to
solve a huge problem. How to feed the billions
of human beings whose realities are inevitably
at odds with the limited drinking water and
natural resources they need?
Some or perhaps many of you are wondering
where are the politics in this speech. Believe
me I am sad to say it, but the politics are here
in these moderate words. If only numerous
human beings would concern ourselves with
these realities and not continue as in the times
of Adam and Eve eating forbidden apples.
Who will feed the thirsty people of Africa
with no technology at their disposal, no rain,
no reservoirs, no more underground aquifers
than those covered by sands? We will see what
the governments, which almost all signed the
climate commitments, say.
We must constantly hammer away at these
issues and I do not want to elaborate beyond
the essentials.
I shall soon turn 90, such an idea would never
have occurred to me and it was never the
result of an effort, it was sheer chance. I will
soon be like everyone else. We all reach our
turn, but the ideas of the Cuban communists
will remain as proof that on this planet,
working with fervor and dignity, can produce
the material and cultural wealth that humans
need, and we must fight relentlessly to obtain
these. To our brothers in Latin America and
the world we must convey that the Cuban
people will overcome.
This may be one of the last times that I speak
in this room. I voted for all the candidates
submitted for election by Congress and I
appreciate the invitation and the honor of
your listening to me. I congratulate you all,
and firstly, compañero Raúl Castro for his
magnificent effort.
We will set forth on the march forward and
we will perfect what we should perfect, with
the utmost loyalty and united force, just as
Martí, Maceo and Gómez, in an unstoppable
march.
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