The Second Declaration of Havana continues to be a beacon and guide in the struggle of the Cuban people

The Second Declaration of Havana served both as a reaffirmation of Cuban sovereignty and as a condemnation of the aggressions and manipulations the island faced from the empire. This message echoed across Latin America and the globe, inspiring movements for liberation and solidarity.

Castro delivers the declaration

By Katherin Hormigó Rubio, translated from the Spanish

On February 4, 1962, in the midst of growing U.S. hostility toward Cuba, the Commander in Chief and leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, proclaimed the Second Declaration of Havana, a manifesto expressing Cuba's position on the international situation. This document emerged after the imposition of the economic blockade by the US and in the run-up to the missile crisis on the island, when Cuba was under constant threat of aggression. The Declaration made it clear that the country would not give in to imperial pressures, defending its right to sovereignty, as well as its socialist project, in a world marked by colonialism, neocolonialism and oppression.

The Second Declaration of Havana not only reaffirmed Cuban sovereignty but also denounced the aggressions and manipulations by the empire that the island faced. This message echoed across Latin America and the globe, inspiring movements for liberation and solidarity.

Today, over sixty years later, the Cuban population still confronts significant challenges in their fight for truth and sovereignty. This occurs in an international environment where both traditional and digital media are used as instruments of disinformation and psychological warfare, within a world still shaped by imperial interests and narratives that seek to weaken the very essence of Cuban identity.

The truth about Cuba and its Revolution has been misrepresented for decades due to media propaganda, largely influenced by the interests of foreign powers, particularly the United States.

Attempts to isolate the island, promote false narratives about the Cuban political system, and spread disinformation about the achievements of the Revolution remain common tactics employed by those who wish to subvert Cuban sovereignty. In this way, the fight for truth continues, as the Cuban people still deal with the challenges of an international media battle aiming to weaken their ability to determine their own future.

Cuban sovereignty: an unbreakable right

Cuba's sovereignty has been a fundamental principle since the first moments of the Revolution, and the Second Declaration of Havana firmly defended it in the face of attempts by the United States and other international actors to subvert the revolutionary process.

Cuba recognized that achieving independence required not just military victories, but also the capacity to develop its own vision, free from foreign intervention.

Today, Cuba's fight for sovereignty extends beyond merely its right to make decisions free from external interference.The country continues to face an economic, commercial and financial blockade that has lasted more than six decades, a siege that has tried to suffocate its economy and its ability to develop in a globalized world. However, the Cuban people, despite the difficulties, continue to reaffirm their right to exist as a free, sovereign and socialist nation.

In this sense, the struggle for Cuban sovereignty is also a struggle for the self-determination of all the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean, who see in Cuba a beacon of resistance against imperialism. The island continues to be a symbol of the struggle for social justice, equality and self-determination in a world where resources and global politics are largely controlled by the great powers.

The anniversary of the Second Declaration of Havana is more than an historical commemoration; it is a reaffirmation of the principles that continue to guide Cuba on its path to social justice, independence and sovereignty.

Despite the challenges the country faces today, the Cuban people remain steadfast in defending their right to live free from interference by outside forces trying to push their own agendas.

The legacy of the Second Declaration of Havana lives on, and the struggle for truth and sovereignty continues to be a central battle in the Cuban revolutionary project. Each anniversary, like this February 4, serves as a reminder that the struggle continues. Cuba's sovereignty is not for sale, and the Cuban people remain ready to defend it with the same passion and determination as they did in 1962.

Cuba, with both its successes and errors, continues to be a benchmark of resistance against the hegemonic powers. The Second Declaration of Havana is not just a moment in history, but a declaration of principles that continues to guide the struggle for a future of justice, dignity and sovereignty for all the peoples of the world.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC