"We achieved full political sovereignty for the first time on January 1, 1959 when, after sweeping away the bloody tyranny imposed from abroad, the Cuban people began governing the nation. Since then, this noble and heroic people have not failed one single day to defend its right to development, justice, peace and liberty.".
“I reaffirm my conviction that Cuba will march forward, that Cuba has a great destiny and a great people deserving the glory they are earning with their heroism in time of war, their virtue in time of peace and the courage they will show again a thousand times if again a thousand times it were necessary to take up arms”.
“And remember this, remember what history teaches: that there is no halfway in these revolutionary processes, which either attain full victory or stand to be defeated; history teaches that the way is from extreme revolution to extreme reaction. And, of course, you can be sure that we will not be counted among those defeated.”
“When the socialist bloc collapsed and fell apart, we were able to stay steady and carry on; we raised our flags, we didn’t put them away, we didn’t give them up, and we are prepared to go on fighting until victory is reached.”
“Thank you for coming as a reinforcement in this difficult struggle that we are waging today to save the ideas you fought for so much, to save the Revolution, the homeland and the achievements of socialism, which is the materialization of some of your biggest dreams. We count on you to carry out this enormous feat, to destroy the imperialist plots against Cuba, to resist the blockade and to attain victory. "