People's Democracy

18th Congress Resolution On Cuba

Ever since the triumph of the Cuban revolution in 1959, Cuba has stood out as an inspiration for the people all over the world fighting against imperialism. In spite of its close proximity to the United States, the strongest imperialist power in the world, it has maintained its independence and a socialist economy, and withstood a forty-five year long US economic blockade and other acts of aggression.

The Bush administration has escalated the US pressure against Cuba and announced two years back one of its most savage attempts to undermine the sovereignty of Cuba in the form of a $59 million package. The package is designed to tighten the blockade against Cuba and to spread malicious propaganda through regular airborne broadcasts into Cuba making use of aircrafts flying over international waters close to the country. The US continues to make use of its Helms-Burton Act to penalise businesspersons from other countries who maintain contacts with Cuba.

The blockade of Cuba has been designed to isolate the country – economically, politically and technologically. But the valiant efforts of the Cuban people and the strength of the Socialist system have ensured impressive social, economic and technological progress in Cuba. In Cuba no one is left alone without support, no one is excluded from society. As a result Cuba has one of the most comprehensive systems that guarantee education and health facilities for all. The Cuban health system is acknowledged to be one of the best in the world and child mortality rates in Cuba are lower than in the United States. Cuban scientists have been engaged in research at the frontiers of science. Today, in spite of all attempts by the US to isolate Cuba, over 2 million people visit the country every year.

Cuba has not stopped at ensuring and sustaining progress within its own boundaries. Cuban revolutionaries have fought shoulder to shoulder with their comrades in distant lands in their fight against colonialism and imperialism. Cuban soldiers have shed blood in National Liberation struggles, as in Angola and Mozambique. Cuban doctors have helped strengthen the health care system in many parts of the developing world. Recently, Cuba has placed at the disposal of the [Venezuelan] Bolivarian Republic the support of more than 15,000 medical professionals involved in the Venezuelan government-funded social programme providing health care to the poor. Cuba is an inspiration for the toiling people across the world, but particularly so in Latin America. The recent successes in confronting US imperialism in the continent and the victory for the forces of progress in countries like Brazil, Venezuela and Uruguay are testimony of impact of Cuban revolution in Latin America.

The Congress demands that:

• The United States stop all acts of illegal aggression against Cuba;

• The Economic blockade on Cuba be lifted immediately, as has been resolved by the UN General Assembly for last several years;

• The US repeals the Helms-Burton Act that is designed to prevent economic relations of other countries with Cuba

This Congress salutes the Cuban people and the Socialist system in Cuba for inspiring whole generations in their fight against Imperialism. We wish to let our Cuban comrades know that they are not alone in their fight. We are confident that the valiant people of Cuba and its political system based on the principles of Socialism, shall continue to successfully resist and defeat all manoeuvres undertaken by US Imperialism.