Hugo Chavez Peace And Solidarity Message On 62 Anniversary Of The Beginning Of The Cuban Revolution; And 61 Birthday Of Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías

Good afternoon, everyone and thank you for gathering here today. It gives me great pleasure to speak to you on behalf of volunteers and beneficiaries of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity, and to welcome you most cordially at the 62 anniversary of the Beginning of the Cuban Revolution, as well as the 61 birthday of Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him).

I am specifically grateful to our volunteers and beneficiaries who have come from far distances to join us mark these historic events. I also welcome media practitioners who have come to join us in this gathering.

Here, in this yet to be completed building houses the international secretariat of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity; we therefore want to welcome our brother from the diaspora, Ambassador Leonel Lazo of Cuba with our tradition by saying: “Chavismos! Chavistas! We are All Chavezs! Ambassador Lazo you welcome home.

To me, anniversaries are a time for celebration and recognition, but they are also a time for reflection. It is therefore with a deep sense of humility and gratitude to God Almighty that I address this gathering of noble men and women.

Nothing is so great than one to make the right choice and decision that affect ones life. I need not to labour much here. Suffice it to say that, in life there are decisions made and these decisions must be consciously chosen and proudly carried. These decisions include first and most important is to know your Creator; the second is who we choose to marry; and the third is our passion for work and service. Your first decision determines how you live eternally. The second determines the quality of your family life. The third determines your legacy.

Are we all gathered here today by accident? Is it a mistake to express gratitude and appreciation to Cuba for her timely intervention to save the lives of the people of Africa against the dreadful Ebola epidemic? Is it not a noble path to honour Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him) in Africa, by creating the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity? Or, does the painful assassination of Commandant Chávez means an end to the international solidarity movement?

Well, I would come another time and possibly in another occasion to give you the answers, God willing! Suffice it to say that, Commandant Hugo Chavez lives! He is in our hearts, and in our marrow. The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity, I want to assure you all, will live forever and as the legacy of Commandant Hugo Chavez (Peace Be Upon Him).

Now to the purpose of our gathering here today:

First, Brothers and Sisters, today is July 26, 2015, the 62 anniversary of the beginning of the Cuban struggle for freedom and dignity led by Commandant Fidel Castro. It was on this day in 1953 that Commandant Fidel Castro and other progressive revolutionaries, including President Raul Castro waged a fierce battle to restore the dignity of the Cuban people, which was sold to foreign criminal adventurers by the dictator Fulgencio Batista. The goal of the revolution was defeat followed by the capture and detention of the Revolutionary Commandant Fidel Castro and current Cuban President Raul Castro. Consciously, Commandant Fidel Castro defended his revolutionary action as a just response to the unjust attacks meted on the Cuban people by the US backed despotic rule.

From exile in Mexico, Commandant Castro reorganized his compatriots and six years later launched a decisive attacked and dismantled the shackles of the corrupt, inhumane, anti-peoples, cruel and US backed Batista dictatorship menace, Cuba was liberated. And on January 1^st 1959, the dictator Fulgencio Batista fled Cuba and the revolutionary forces of Commandant Castro took over the political, economic, social, cultural and environmental affairs of Cuba. Since then Commandant Castro has devoted his lifetime as a soldier in the many battlefields of ideas.

Many young people who have visited Cuba during the last decade have seen at first hand and marveled at the great social and economic, political developments the Caribbean nation has achieved throughout the decades of revolutionary struggle. We pay tribute to Commandant Fidel Castro and all the Cuban people for their determined struggle against imperialism and particularly American imperialism, which has sought to demonise and isolate Cuba from the rest of the world forever.

The unjust, diabolic, wicked and spurious American embargo imposed over five decades against Cuba and the continuity of this hostile policy has exposed the real face of imperialism. There is just no moral argument to justify the US continued wicked embargo against Cuba; while confusing the world with the rhetoric of reestablishing diplomatic ties with Cuba, the US has deliberately maintained the cruel embargo that is still causing havocs on the Cuban people. What jungle diplomacy is this, holding the weapon of suffering and hardships against whole peoples and whole nations?

The current destabilization campaign for regime change through state sponsored terrorism in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia and other progressive countries of Latin America is evidence that the real threat to peace, security and freedom is the American imperialists and their local stooges. The poor people of Africa represented by the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity pay tribute to the generosity of the Cuban people for the solidarity they continue to extend to the people of the world.

The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity would like to congratulate and honour Commandant Fidel Castro and entire people of Cuba on this 62anniversary of the beginning of the Cuban revolution, for tireless dedication to help improving the lives of people everywhere.

Cuba’s socialist revolution is a role-model for others to copy worldwide. Cuba’s socio-economic achievements during the 56 years of revolutionary leadership manifest the Cuban people’s vitality, solidarity and determination to develop their country into a strong nation. Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are proud that Cuba’s example is one that restores the freedom and dignity of their people.

On the African continent, Cuba is a true and trusted friend. As former President of South Africa, the late Nelson Mandela rightly put it, and I quote:

“The Cuban people hold a special place in the hearts of the people of Africa. The Cuban internationalists have made a contribution to African independence, freedom, and justice, unparalleled for its principled and selfless character. From its earliest day, the Cuban revolution has itself been a source of inspiration to all freedom-loving peoples … We in Africa are used to being victims of countries wanting to carve up our territory or subvert our sovereignty. It is unparalleled in African history to have another people rise to the defence of one of us. We also know that this was a popular action in Cuba. We are aware that those who fought and died in Angola were only a small proportion of those who volunteered. For the Cuban people internationalism is not merely a word but something that we have seen practiced to the benefit of large sections of humankind!”

Unquote: Cuba’s foreign policy of supporting Africa and the African people for freedom, independence and sovereignty is unmatched. And Cuba’s missions of sending doctors and providing free health care to the poorest countries and people around the world demonstrate the Caribbean nation’s readiness to provide humanitarian assistance to those who need it most, with no condition attached.

Cuba’s foreign policy is built on the foundation of traditional socialism. Cuba is small, poor in natural resources, with a population of 11 million noble and dignified peoples. The achievements of the revolution are not discussed here. Suffice it to say that, all Cuban people have free health care and education.

Cuba is known as the 'Nursing mother of the New Americas’ due to her support for peace, political emancipation, social justice, human rights, freedom and dignity in the Americas. It is well documented that Cuba has the best living standards in all of the Americas for its people, and the infant mortality is lower than in the United States.

The dawn of the Cuban revolution was greeted with heinous, libelous and hostile attacks by U.S. imperialism. All such attacks have been defeated. Commandant Fidel Castro was the Chief Commander in the forefront of defeating U.S. imperialism’s attempted invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. He led Cuba also through many battles, including U.S. imperialism’s nuclear blackmail during the Cuban missile crisis; the decades of US wicked embargo and through the difficult periods of the collapse of the former Soviet Union. Above all, Commandant Fidel Castro he had survived more 600 hundred assassination attempts by the US.

It is also worth mentioning that the collapse of the former Soviet Union did not stop Cuba from following the socialist ethos. The revolutionary leadership in Havana rather reinforced its commitment to socialism and preached every Cuban to make ways where there was no way, to maintain their dignity and hard-won freedom. .

It goes without saying that Cubans survived the 1990s with their dignity and with socialism intact, emerging in the post Soviet Union collapse with an increasingly strong and growing economy, while other Latin American countries that are dominated by U.S. imperialism continue to swindle in abject poverty, degradation and dehumanization. Like in Africa and the Middle East, Most of the citizens of US client states in Latin America are being subjected today to sub-human fashion.

Commandant Fidel Castro voluntarily stepped down to accompany the next path of the revolution with Raul Castro as President of the Republic of Cuba.

We hope and trust that Cuba will cease the opportunity this day has created to pay attention to urgent questions facing the Americas. Capitalism is on the verge; and in entrenching its hegemony, the American imperialism is gearing its war machine and prepares new wars. The USA and NATO are increasing their global military presence and action in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. Besides Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and other progressive countries of the Americas, the USA new found relationship with Cuba should be judged in the context that the imperialist’s regime change syndrome is at work and no one can tell who the next target would be.

The terror tactics employed by US backed oligarchy to execute regime change through destruction of innocent lives and public infrastructural facilities is ongoing in Latin America. The violent offensive by US backed oligarchy in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia for instance poses dangers to the peoples of those countries, their rights, peace, democracy, freedom, independence, sovereignty and dignity.

Of concern to us is the dangerous phase entered by imperialism through increased militarisation and unilateralism as witnessed by the ongoing holocaust campaign against Africans in Libya, the illegal and brutal invasion of Iraq and external imposition of a government on the people of Iraq. And the border disputes between Venezuela and Guyana holds a danger to regional peace and stability. Here again we see no good reason for such tensions if only it is not US based oil conglomerate ExxonMobil war-mongering and provocative maneuvers in the disputed area bordering Venezuela and Guyana.

The ExxonMobil is only used as a façade to cover US destabilization agenda against Venezuela, while the actors are based in Colombia, under US Plan Colombia I and II military bases that operates in the form of US Latin American Military High Command. In Africa, the US destabilization forces are involved in Algeria and Angola, Benin and Botswana, Burkina Faso and Burundi, Cameroon and the Cape Verde Islands; Senegal and the Seychelles, Togo and Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia. From north to south, east to west, the Horn of Africa to the Sahel, the heart of the continent to the islands off its coasts, the US military is at work.

Since the establishment of the US Military High Command in Africa (AFRICOM), the continent has seen more anarchy in Libya, Sudan, Mali and Nigeria, and the purpose is to make Africa and its 54 members-state US client region. The situation in Africa is not different to the one in Latin America, and we want Cuba to know that with the existence of the US Plan Colombia I and II, progressive countries of Latin America and the Caribbean will not enjoy peace, nor their democratic institutions be allowed to develop.

The US support for reactionary forces in Latin America and the Caribbean is among the many challenges faced by Cuba. The growing popularity of socialism is important in the international peace, friendship and solidarity movement. It is the fervent hope of the Foundation that Cuba will play the role expected of her in dealing with all of these thorny issues.

We are aware of the need for renewal and democratisation of Africa, and the building of a system based on social justice in the Middle East, Asia and the world as a whole is not sustainable and possible without the building of environment-friendly international climate based on fair world trade, international peace, non-interference, peaceful resolution of conflicts amongst nations, democratisation and transformation of multi-lateral institutions, subordination of multi-national corporations and the prudent use of proceeds from natural resources to support peace and basic needs of people.

Ambassador Leonel Lazo, we are an international non-governmental organization and as such wish to express through our solidarity and best wishes to the Government and people of Cuba as they mark another year of freedom and human dignity. We stand in solidarity with you and demand the following:

1. End to the diabolic, spurious, wicked and genocidal US Embargo against the people of Cuba.

1. The immediate withdrawal of the US Concentration Camp at the Guantánamo Bay and return of the territory to Cuba.

1. Immediate withdrawal of all unwanted and un-mandated foreign military bases and personnel out of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and not be returned.

1. Stop interference in the domestic affairs of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

1. US embassy in Havana to conduct its activities in accordance with civilized norms and standards of behavior in the conduct of its diplomatic activities on Cuban territories.

1. The policy of “regime change” syndrome constitutes a terror threat to international peace and security. We therefore demand an end to the anti-human virus called “regime change” in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean.

1. An immediate halt to the activities of Exxon Mobil conglomerate in the disputed border territory between Venezuela and Guyana, to save the environment of that territory.

1. Peaceful settlement to the border disputes between Venezuela and Guyana.

We congratulate all Cubans on this important day.

The second leg of today’s events is the birthday of Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him).

28^th July, 2015 is the 61 birthday of the socialist revolutionary leader of the 21^st century, Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him). A leader with exemplary qualities, and sterling example, that asserts national sovereignty against the onslaught of foreign criminal adventurers towards his country and people.

Death is one of the hardest realities in life that everyone has to accept sooner or later. But, one should not loose strength of mind. The birthday of Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him) is a day we would forever celebrate as the beginning of dignity of humanity in the 21^st century. It is a day worth celebrating and a reminder to all people that Commandant Chávez never dies and he still lives as long his noble Foundation, the Hugo Chavez International Foundation continues to exist on the planet.

Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him) is physically not with us today but cannot be forgotten – reason for what we have gathered here– as he lived in a manner that was unique and transparently selfless, abandoning what could have been his comfort zone to champion the cause of the poor and vulnerable in the world.

It is significant to note that defining leadership role model, exhibited by Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him), like in some of the most revolutionary instances of progressive change across history, was Commandant Chávez declaration of the Fifth Republic for freedom and dignity, the precious gifts nature endowed to all human beings.

Born on 28^th July, 1954 in Sabaneta, in the Barinas State of Venezuela, Commandant Chavez attended the Venezuela’s Academy of Military Sciences and graduated in 1975, with the rank of Sub-Lieutenant. He had a distinguished service record.

The second of 7 sons of two school teachers (Hugo de Los Reyes Chavez and Elena Friars de Chavez), Dr. Chávez was known for his concerns for various deserving causes. He was twice divorced and a Father of four wonderful children-Rosa Virginia, Maria Gabriela, Hugo Rafael and Rosines. He was a Roman Catholic Christian, and had a long and cherished history of personal sacrifice for the poor, the down-trodden, the needy, the orphans, the neglected, marginalised and vulnerable.

Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him) political career started with his strong opposition to the diabolic government of President Carlos Andres Perez in 1990. His alternative political views landed him to prison for two years, and was later released on February 4, 1992 and became a national hero and symbol of hope for peace, freedom and dignity in Venezuela.

The call to serve the Venezuelan people and rekindle their hope led Commandant Hugo Chávez to contest the election of 1998, and at the age of 44, became Venezuela’s youngest President. He was twice married and twice divorced. He had four wonderful children.

Despite smear attacks and dirty propaganda campaign in the mainstream media against his leadership and illuminating personality, Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him) was a world historic figure whose legacy will continue to leave its hemispheric mark on the side of a “Bolivarian Revolution” that guarantees social and economic freedom. Such a commitment is all but titanic, because it involves a more equitable distribution of wealth.

For foreign nationals who had visited Venezuela or followed unfolding events in the Latin American nation before 1999 know that Commandant Chávez (Peace Be Upon Him) 14 years ruled laid the foundation to transform Venezuela, the world’s largest deposit of crude oil, from being a victim of degradation and dehumanization into a truly free, independent and dignified nation among nations. He contested and voted amass in the presidential elections of 1998, 2000, 2006 and 2012, which were called and held in Venezuela.

In his fight to translate the conscience of the Venezuelan people into freedom and dignity, Commandant Chávez had to face the bitter tastes of hostile forces in and outside Venezuela, and particularly the US diabolic, heinous, manipulative mechanism and spurious attacks. The massive support of the Venezuelan people and internationalist solidarity empowered him to defeat the violent coup d’état carried out by traitors and reactionary forces in April 2002.

He led the people to take away from foreign criminal adventurers and their local collaborators control over the oil resources of his country and used the income to benefit the Venezuelan people and support the cooperation and development of countries subjected to merciless plunder and economic enslavement. In his patriotic valour, Commandant Chávez used proceeds from the sale of the Venezuelan crude oil to reduce poverty, improve the lives of the working masses, and strengthen national sovereignty. Local food production was increased (and food imports cut), access to clean water was assured for everyone, illiteracy was practically eradicated, education was made free up to and including universities, the number of doctors was increased four-fold, malnutrition and infant mortality rates were reduced, and all senior citizens were given pensions.

Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him) enhanced Venezuela’s role and contribution to international peace, friendship and solidarity and unifying progressive forces in their struggle against the aggressive attempts of foreign criminal adventurers to rob off, the peoples of Latin America of their peace, stability, freedom, integrity and dignity. He ensured that oil prices were kept low for the poor and made serious contributions to the economies of Latin America through oil subsidies and discounts which angered the US. His example and charismatic leadership in establishing a welfare state on the model of socialism of the 21^st century played a major role in transforming Latin America today.

Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him) was a firm proponent of Latin American and Caribbean integration, and in 2004, Venezuela and Cuba initiated the Bolivarian Alliance for our Americas (ALBA), to encourage fair trade on the principle of justice, fair play and solidarity. He further advanced this integration process in 2011 with the creation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), to advance sovereign development, democracy, significant improvements in the quality of life of the working class, and solidarity among the peoples and nations of the world.

Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him) special character as a man of peace and flamboyant champion of freedom and human dignity, as well as his commitment and ability to building bridges and fostering friendly and harmonious relationships amongst nations placed him high above others. His leadership role in Latin America as depicted by his activities, policies, programs and decisions was unrivalled. His outspokenness, conviction, courage, special love for the poor and foresight in crossing cultural boundaries as peace broker were great achievements, and these are well-documented for historians to write home about.

The leadership-role-model exhibited by Commandant Hugo Chávez was a great example of service to humanity, and his commitment to humanitarian endeavours was an inspiration to mankind. His love for the environment was bountiful. His balanced, broad-minded, mental viewpoints are invaluable addition to his humanitarian endeavours. And his special love and equal treatment of all races had impact on the lives of millions of people around the world.

To many Africans on the continent and the diaspora, Commandant Hugo Chávez was referred to as the Osagyfo (after the great Osagyfo Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana) of Latin America for what he stood for. He was referred to, also, as "the bridge builder between the poor and the rich, the farmer and the office worker; the symbol of hope for the needy; the renovator and innovator of ideas based on socialism of the 21^st century; the freedom fighter and, above all, the worth emulating."

Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him) was until his painful assassination on 5^th March, 2013 a world historic figure whose legacy will continue to leave its hemispheric mark. His painful assassination left behind a huge void in the lives of millions of people around the world. Commandant Chávez will continue to dwell in the heart and mind of the Venezuelan land. He will continue to dwell in the hearts and minds of the human family to whom he was a rare symbol of peace, hope, freedom and dignity.

Commandant Hugo Chávez Frías was indeed a rare patriot because his life epitomized enduring love for Venezuela. His love for humanity was particularly defined by self sacrifice. Death has only taken the flesh of Commandant Chavez, but not his ideas.

The achievements that set Commandant-Hugo Chavez apart and which had made him subject of edifying posthumous commentaries, though undeniably solid were far from personal. They were solid altruistic achievements of a man whose life epitomized love and self sacrifice. The world will forever be proud of the role-model leadership qualities and illuminating personality of Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him).

We cannot find words to express the profound grief that has befallen humanity. Commandant Hugo Chávez was greater than words, and he is more eternal than words. Words alone cannot praise him better than his achievements as a great leader. No words suffice to console us for the painful assassination of this genius man.

At the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity, we are independent and self-governed NGO; we are not a proxy organization and we do not represent any foreign hegemony in whatever form or manifestation; we rely on God Almighty and the good funding from sympathizers and good people (Blessed are the Peace makers for they shall be called the children of God). What we represent and what we are is peace to humankind, friendship to all and solidarity with the poorest of the poor.

Ambassador Leonel Lazo, as part of our programs and projects to preserve the legacy of Commandant Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (Peace Be Upon Him), the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity is putting materials for the construction of a Chavez City in Africa. We are currently holding talks with Government official, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to acquire an appropriate place for the location of the proposed Chavez City, preferably in the Port Loko district, Northern region of Sierra Leone.

We implore you Ambassador Lazo to use your good office to take this message to President Nicolas Maduro, the Government, the Chávez family and entire people of Venezuela and the Americas. In the proposed Chavez City, the following structure shall be erected:

1. Modern office complex at international level

1. A Medical and Healthcare Centre

1. Satellite Radio Transmission facilities

1. Banking facilities

1. Youth Job Skills Training Centre

1. A Spanish language school for studies on Spanish language, literature and culture

1. Fuel depot

1. A Shopping Mall

1. Resource Centre for researches on Chávez Lines, his preaching, taught and practiced, and more

1. Housing to accommodate our staff and foreign guests

1. An International Conference Centre

1. Modern Mosque and Church Buildings

1. Recreational facilities

1. A car park, Mechanic Workshop, facilities for storage of the Foundation’s property and more including encouraging countries of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean to own each with a lodging centre in the proposed Chávez City.

Our team of engineers has started work on the plan for the Proposed Chavez City Plan, a copy of which would be given to you when completed for further advice. If completed, the proposed Chávez will serve as the “Triangular Cultural Bridge”, linking our peoples of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. It will stand as a symbol of dignity for Africa’s great ancestors; as well as a “Home Coming City” to Africans in the diasporas who are willing to return home to help the development of the continent.

Chávez Lives! Chávez Never Dies!

The last agenda concerns our gratitude and appreciation to the Cuban medical team that helped to save our lives against the deadly Ebola pandemic. Fighting epidemic outbreak is not a soldier’s job, and that justify the arguments that the US and UK military deployment to fight the Ebola epidemic in West Africa was a monumental mistake. On the contrary the Cuban medics stand tall above others in the fight against the deadly virus in the sub-region.

Everyone knows that a soldier is trained to fight war and to defend his or her country against external aggression, and not to fight an epidemic outbreak as witnessed in West Africa recently. One should not be tempted to ponder on this issue. The writing on wall is clear for even a blind person to read and understand that the role of the Cuban medics in the fight against Ebola in West Africa is unique and has no rival in the world.

Cuba in fact has been playing important role in various disaster-hit countries around the world. We must not ponder as to why Cuba popularity in Africa, particularly in West Africa where the courage, discipline, honesty, and friendliness of the Henry Reeve Cuban Medical Brigade scored the desired goal of controlling the spread of the Ebola in the region. The Brigade has been capable of tackling epidemics, no matter what the challenging situations and has proven the best in the art of winning hearts of disaster-hit people in the world.

To the great Henry Reeve Cuban Medical Brigade, we thank you so much for coming to the humanitarian need of the people of Africa in the recent campaign against the spread of the Ebola virus. We thank you for saving the lives of our vulnerable people in Africa especially for the good work you have done for the Ebola orphans and widows. Thank you for your humanitarian internationalism. You are truly an inspiration to people around the world. You are amazing role models. You demonstrated that Cuba stands in defense of the poor and vulnerable around the world.

As a show of support and solidarity, the Foundation has collected signatories from the public to express appreciation and gratitude to the work of the Henry Reeve Cuban Medical Brigade. Those signatories will be handed to you here on behalf of the Cuban medics.

Once again, welcome you all and wish you a happy day.

Viva Fidel Castro! Viva Raul Castro! Viva la revolución Cubana! Viva el socialismo!