In a message published on social media, ANAIC emphasizes that “today we celebrate the life, perseverance, and tireless dedication of a man who gave every day of his life to the sovereignty and dignity of his people,” who “showed that true leadership does not seek the limelight, but is measured by actions.”

The text highlights that “from the Sierra Maestra to the leadership of the State,” Raul always maintained an “unwavering loyalty to the principles of social justice,” always at the side of his brother in blood and in struggle, Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro.

As Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), a position he held for nearly fifty years, from 1959 to February 2008, “he was the architect of the defense that allowed Cuba to withstand decades of suffocating blockades and external aggression, ensuring the survival of the Revolution,” the text states.

After assuming the presidency of the Caribbean nation in that final year, a position he held for a decade, “with clarity and courage, he guided the country through the necessary economic reforms, without ever sacrificing its socialist essence, public education, or universal healthcare,” the text notes.

“Defending Raul today means defending the right of a small country to self-determination, to not bow down to giants, and to choose its own destiny with its head held high,” the document states, concluding with gratitude to the Cuban revolutionary leader for his steadfastness and boundless love for his country.

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