OWTU salutes life and work of Fidel Castro

The OWTU recalled, “While many speak of a need for so-called ‘democracy’ in Cuba we must not forget that life in Cuba under Fulgencia Batista was brutal and oppressive, particularly for the lower and working classes; yet still, America, the so-called greatest ‘democracy’ led by Dwight Eisenhower, openly and unashamedly supported the America-friendly Batista regime from 1952 till the end of his reign on January 1, 1959.”

The union noted that despite great limitations, and countless attempts by successive US administration to destroy the Cuban Revolution started by Castro, “Cuba, remarkably, didn’t only survive, she surpassed many other states in the region in critical key areas, like sustainable food production, poverty reduction, literacy and universally accessible quality health care.”

The OWTU said Castro’s outstanding example of leadership and his extraordinary vision for a better Cuba and world, stands out, “in a time when the forces of capital and neoliberalism continue to rear their greedy heads.” The union added, “We in the progressive trade union movement and social movements the world over must draw strength from his life and example and march onward for the love of humanity towards achieving social justice for all, dignity for all people and self-determination, independence and sovereignty for all nations.”