VINCUPA congratulates the people of Cuba

Fri, Oct 12, 2012

Editor: The Vincentian Association of Cuban Trained Professionals (VINCUPA) offers congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Cuba on the celebration of the 144th Anniversary of the Cuban Independence Wars.{{more}}

October 10th is celebrated each year by the Cuban people to commemorate the Guerra de los Diez Años, (10 Years War) when sugar mill owner Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and his followers proclaimed Cuba’s independence from Spain in 1868 with his famous speech: “Citizens: that sun you can now see raising above the Turquino Peak has come to illuminate the first day of Cuba’s freedom and independence”.

However, while this war was only the trigger for the Cuban independence movement, it was not the last war for independence that Cubans would be engaged in. As such, the end of the war didn’t represent the materialization of the objectives it initially set out to achieve—to abolish slavery and achieve independence. However, this uprising began the cycle of emancipation of the Cuban people, which would eventually end with the dawn of January 1st, 1959.

In 1895, José Martí, the apostle of Cuban Independence, and now a Cuban national hero, started a second war against Spain. José Martí was a key figure in the planning and execution of this war, as well as the designer of the Cuban Revolutionary Party and its ideology.

The decisive war of Cuban independence came about on December 2nd, 1956, with the landing of 82 patriots from the boat Granma, under the leadership of Fidel Castro. With the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista on January 1st, 1959, Cuba became a truly independent state.

The VINCUPA is pleased to pay tribute to the numerous Cuban heroes, Cuban patriots, and to the leadership of the revolution, who have, throughout these 144 years, championed the cause for Cuban freedom and the safeguarding of its sovereignty.

Additionally, the VINCUPA expresses its heart felt gratitude to the people and Government of Cuba for affording its members the privilege of becoming professionals, appropriately equipped to provide immeasurable benefits to our blessed land, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Long live the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the people of the Republic of Cuba and the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Ezra D. Ledger
VINCUPA