¡Y venceremos!: Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez on Fidel

By Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Republic of Cuba, translated from the Spanish

Fidel Castro Ruz, historic leader and Commander in Chief of the Cuban Revolution, turns 99 years old today, alive still.

I write in the present tense because that is how I feel and it captures how the celebration of the start of a symbolic year for Cuba is unfolding, resonating with those worldwide who acknowledge the significance of his revolutionary leadership.

I am referring to the centenary or eternity of a man who continues to live on through time, even though his physical form turned to ashes nearly a decade ago, and he said that he did not want statues or monuments in his honor.

What he could not command was the impossible—that he would be forgotten. And there he remains, alive and present, as only the eternal can be. History has shown repeatedly that such destiny is not determined by anyone, but rather by the enduring power of the ideas from those who have led hundreds, thousands, even millions of people to achieve their dreams of freedom and justice.

Fidel is eternal, not because of his own choice or the efforts of those who seek to continue his immense legacy of social justice. He attained this status by understanding, synthesizing, and embracing the rich heritage of Cuban, Latin American, Caribbean, and global independence, anti-colonial, anti-imperialist, and Marxist thought that came before him, positioning himself as a leader for all time.

In his passionate public speeches and lengthy private conversations, he demonstrated complete command over an immense wealth of knowledge, captivating a wide range of audiences from the first to the last word. However, what truly immortalized him were the words he transformed and the actions he turned into accomplishments.

In these distinctly Fidel days, where each of us shares through books, videos, traditional media, or social networks the Fidel who is with us, he is affirming his eternal presence, both in our own heartfelt emotions and in those of others who feel similarly. Or it is seen in the hateful denial by those who cannot bear the dazzling vitality of his ideas.

In my case, as you can imagine, Fidel is not just present. He is a constant. A guide and a challenge. An example and an obsession.

I believe he remains as the vanguard, just as he was in the Sierra or at Girón. Whenever threats escalate, necessity demands action, and the blockade appears to block all paths, the question arises spontaneously: What would Fidel do?

Having had the fortune to know him, witness his actions, and receive his guidance on numerous occasions makes the answers clear: they reside in the people, in their boundless reserves of dignity and talent. And they are found in the fundamental unity of all revolutionary forces centered around Martí's vision of achieving complete justice.

Supported by these certainties, we view science and innovation as a cornerstone of government management. With the talent, the strong material foundation he established, and the boldness of the nation's men and women of science and thought, whom he shaped for the future that is today, we confronted and overcame the pandemic. We continue to strive to overcome even seemingly insurmountable challenges, such as the blockade and our internal inefficiencies.

Throughout Fidel's history, from his student years to his undeniable presence today, there are an endless array of lessons, all converging on a single point: he never let circumstances defeat him. Even the most significant blows from his opponents only served to elevate his stature as a leader to a higher level.

Examining each of his battles reveals the profound motivation this leader awakened within this courageous people, transforming setbacks into victories. This helps us grasp the true significance of the farewell Che Guevara exclusively dedicated to him before venturing to other parts of the world, a farewell the Cuban people embraced as a steadfast commitment: Hasta la victoria, siempre (Until victory, always). Never forgetting the motto Homeland or Death, which makes it possible. Nor the optimism encapsulated in one word: ¡Venceremos! (We will win!)

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