Message from Ramón Labañino Salazar

Dear sisters and brothers: It has been 15 long years of injustice, of infamous holes, of chains and handcuffs which lacerate the skin. It has been 15 years far removed from our homeland, from our people, from our family.

Fifteen years in which our children have become adults. In the faces of our wives and family members the implacable passage of time is visible. Fifteen years in which we have been pained to see the departure of our loved ones and dear brothers.

It is however also important to say that it has been 15 years of loyal and valiant struggle, time which has served to demonstrate once again that Cuba does not surrender, does not go down on its knees, much less betray, that the honor of a man and the decorum of a man cannot be bought, not with all the wealth in the universe.

With the same conviction held by our Mambises, seen throughout all of our homeland’s history, we will continue to struggle until the final victory.

Thank you to all of our people, to our leaders and all the sisters and brothers from around the world, for your combative, loyal and eternal company.

¡Hasta la victoria siempre!
¡Venceremos!
Five strong embraces,

Ramón Labañino Salazar.

GRANMA