Fidel Castro, the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, used the occasion of his 89th birthday on August 13 to pen a statement demanding US compensation for damages caused to the Caribbean island for its decades-long blockade.
Reflecting on history, Castro wrote: “We will never stop fighting for peace and the wellbeing of all human beings.
“Equality for all citizens to access health, education, work, food, security, culture, science, and welfare, that is to say, the same rights we proclaimed when we began our struggle, plus those that emanate from our dreams of justice and equality for the people of our world, this is what I wish for all.”
His letter came before the opening of the US Embassy in Havana on August 14. Cuba opened its embassy in Washington on July 20 as part of renewed relations between the two countries.
However, despite frequent calls from Cuba, the US has not yet ended its 65-year-long blockade of the country, nor closed its Guantanamo Bay torture prison on Cuban territory.
“Cuba is owed many millions of dollars in compensation for damage caused to it,” Castro wrote.
A United Nations report released this month found that the US blockade has cost Cuba US$117 billion.
Castro also reflected on the US bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki — whose 70th anniversary was also marked this month. He also criticised the disproportionate influence of the US in financial markets.
[Reprinted from TeleSUR English.]
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