January 1, 1959
Cuban People's Revolution Establishes Beacon for Human Rights and Democracy
The Triumph of the Revolution in Cuba was marked on January 1, 1959, with the capture of Havana by the July 26 Movement and the flight of the U.S.-backed mafia dictator Fulgencio Batista. On this day, the brilliant leadership of Fidel Castro in harmony with the revolutionary initiative of the people scored an outstanding achievement for human dignity. The fact that the Cuban people and their Revolution continue to stand strong and free is also an outstanding achievement. The Cubans have a long tradition of standing up for themselves, stretching back over hundreds of years. Since the triumph of the Revolution in 1959, through their resistance and solidarity from around the world they have attained the goal of an independent and sovereign nation. They have won momentous victories without sacrificing principles on any front.
In History of Cuba: The Challenge of the Yoke and the Star, Dr. José Cantón Navarro, Senior Researcher at the Institute of History of Cuba and adjunct professor of at the University of Havana, describes the course of events following the seizure of power by the masses:
"During the first stage of the Revolution -- from January 1st, 1959 to approximately the end of 1960 -- a new Constitution is approved as well as a number of measures indispensable for the attainment of the old dream of economic independence, political sovereignty, real democracy, and social justice, all of which had been at the center of the struggle by the mambises [guerilla fighters for independence] during the 18th century and other patriotic fighters under the neo-colonial republic. [...]
"The Revolutionary Government decided to give exemplary punishment to those responsible for the murders and crimes committed under the dictatorship. In Cuban history, torturers and murderers of patriots and revolutionary fighters had always gone unpunished, and now people expected a change: the whole country was asking for death to the assassins. Revolutionary tribunals were established and public trials were held, with full guarantees for the culprits. [...]
"The old army, an instrument of oppression and terror, had been dissolved during the first days of the revolutionary victory, and the Rebel Army -- 'the people in uniform,' like Camilo Cienfuegos had called it -- had taken over the role of armed forces. [...]
"The corrupt, sell-out leadership of the CTC [Workers' Central Union of Cuba] and its unions, which had been imposed and sustained through anti-democracy violence, were wiped out by the working masses. [...]
"[...] A nation-wide effort was unleashed aimed at creating awareness among Cubans regarding their true equality, not only before the law but also in connection to jobs, education, and all other manifestations of social life. This was not an easy battle, as it had to contend with the deep-rooted racial prejudices that prevailed in the minds of a large segment of the Cuban population.
"The Revolution created new sources of jobs, and numerous measures were introduced to eliminate the scorch of unemployment. [...]
"[...] Health care was provided free [...] The foundations were laid for what would be Cuba's subsequent extraordinary development in the field of health."
"Education was equally transformed. Faced with the horrifying scenario of one million illiterates, and 600,000 children without classrooms that contrasted with the 10,000 teachers without jobs [...] conditions were created for the launching of the historic Cuban Literacy Campaign."
"The Revolution took measures at weeding out many chronic evils of Cuban society. The gambling business was banned, [...]
"Drug trafficking and organized contraband were also wiped out. Initial steps were taken to put an end to prostitution by striking at its roots: providing dignified jobs and the necessary re-education for the thousands of women who were victims of it. Mendicancy and the sad scene of neglected, barefooted children begging on the streets gradually disappeared." (1998, pp. 212-14)
Each January 1 marks another year in which the Cuban people and their leadership have defended and developed their revolution in the face of a brutal U.S. blockade. In the Cuban Revolution we see those fighting for progress and dedicating all of society's resources to the flourishing of the human person, at home and abroad. Meanwhile, the U.S. blockade, in the name of defending human rights, violates the Cuban people's rights, including their right to health care, food security, economic security, the right to decide the direction of their society and their very right to be. Far from falling for counter-revolutionary attempts to bring down the Cuban government and end the Cuban revolution, the people's resolve to defend the revolution is strengthened as a result of their experience of the kind of human rights and democracy the U.S. wants to impose on them. The significance of the Cuban people's ability to remain steadfast and resilient in the face of genocidal imperialist aggression for over six decades cannot be underestimated.
Thanks to Revolutionary Cuba, the peoples of all Latin America and the Caribbean have a beacon of human rights, democracy and social justice on the basis of the affirmation of human beings, as a force which contributes to peace and stability in the region and the world. Cuba is a small island nation but the role it plays in world affairs are a great inspiration to all peoples fighting for their right to be.
Viva Cuba!
Hasta la victoria siempre!
This article was published in
Volume 56 Number 1 - January 1, 2026
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/TML2026/Articles/T560012.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca