Friends of Cuba speak out from Ankara: We stand with Cuba and its historic leader Raul Castro against the blockade

The event featured speeches by Aslıhan Ilgaz, Secretary General of the José Martí Cuba Friendship Association (JMKDD), Alejandro Francisco Diaz Palacios, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Ankara, and Kemal Okuyan, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP). The meeting addressed Raul Castro's historical role in the Cuban Revolution, the Cuban people's resistance against the imperialist siege, and the importance of solidarity rising from Turkey.

“FIDEL IS FIDEL, RAUL IS RAUL”

Delivering the opening speech, our Association's Secretary General Aslıhan Ilgaz emphasized that the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by the US does not only produce economic consequences but also constitutes a multi-faceted attack aimed at forcing the Cuban people to surrender. Pointing out that the difficulties experienced, especially in the energy sector, are a direct result of the blockade, Ilgaz stated that the Cuban people are conducting an organized and collective struggle against these conditions.

“The response given to the energy blockade in Cuban society is a true social mobilization,” said Ilgaz, noting that Cuba is a republic of the working people and that the public maintains its trust in the historical leaders of the revolution. Furthermore, Ilgaz expressed that the public's trust in their historical leaders is unshakable with the words, “Fidel is Fidel, and Raul is Raul.”

"WHOEVER STANDS UP FOR CUBA STANDS UP FOR ALL OF HUMANITY"

Speaking at the event, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Ankara Alejandro Francisco Diaz Palacios thanked all the friends in Turkey who have shown solidarity with Cuba and said that the US blockade severely affects the living conditions of the Cuban people. Stating that the blockade creates serious consequences in many areas from energy production to healthcare services, and from transportation to food security, Palacios reminded that this policy, which is contrary to international law, is condemned by an overwhelming majority by the United Nations General Assembly every year.

Stating that the blockade collectively punishes the Cuban people, Palacios summarized the consequences of the situation created by the current US administration and the blockade, which was intensified during the Donald Trump era, with the words: “In an environment where hospitals cannot function; no one, especially pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly, can access healthcare services.”

"RAUL CASTRO'S MARK IS IN CUBA'S HISTORY AND TODAY"

In his speech, Palacios also emphasized that Raul Castro has been involved in all critical processes of the Cuban Revolution, stating that Raul Castro's mark is present in all the important achievements of Cuban history, from the Moncada Barracks attack to the Sierra Maestra struggle, and from the defense of the revolution to the process of socialist construction.

Emphasizing that Raul Castro is not only a revolutionary leader but also a character with strong human qualities, Palacios concluded his speech by stating that the event also honors Cuba's historic leader Raul Castro Ruz.

"TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA IS TO DEFEND UNIVERSAL REVOLUTIONARY VALUES"

TKP Secretary General Kemal Okuyan stated in his speech that the Cuban Revolution is not only a political transformation but also a historical struggle built on strong moral values. Saying that the Cuban people have not given up on the values of solidarity, equality, and humanity despite the heavy conditions of the blockade, Okuyan emphasized that solidarity with Cuba means defending universal revolutionary values.

Touching upon the importance of the “We Are Collecting Sun for Cuba” solidarity campaign, Okuyan stated that the solidarity efforts carried out to overcome the energy problems experienced by the Cuban people should be expanded.

CUBA FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION STANDS WITH HISTORIC LEADER 'RAUL CASTRO': US ACCUSATIONS ARE NOT LEGITIMATE

The José Martí Cuba Friendship Association recently issued a statement regarding the indictment prepared by the US Department of Justice against Army General Raul Castro Ruz, one of the leaders of the Cuban Revolution. In the statement, it was noted that the US does not have the authority or legitimacy to judge Raul Castro; it was emphasized that they would continue to stand by the historic leader Castro.

In response to the US Department of Justice's indictment holding Raul Castro responsible for the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft in which four people lost their lives, the association stated that the two downed aircraft belonged to the Miami-based anti-Cuba organization called Brothers to the Rescue, and that the organization in question had been financed by the CIA for years, with the primary purpose of its activities being to overthrow the Cuban Revolution.