Published on 4 August 2016 by teleSUR.

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Defence of the Spanish Republic during Spain’s civil war is probably the most well-known modern European example of a highly organized and committed progressive solidarity movement. Currently, international solidarity activity in the Americas and in Europe remains closely associated with progressive political movements and governments working to defend their peoples against NATO country aggression of one kind or another. They do so despite determined efforts at co-option by Western governments and corporations along with their media and NGOs.

Selfless people in solidarity with grassroots resistance from Palestine to Mexico have made huge sacrifices trying to defend vulnerable communities from aggression and abuse. In Palestine, Rachel Corrie’s supreme valour put the US government and its NATO country allies to shame for their abject collusion in Israel’s destruction of the Palestinian people. In Oaxaca, activist reporter Brad Will was murdered covering yet more repression by systemically corrupt, violence-addicted authorities in Mexico. Recently in Honduras, international solidarity activists bravely confronted the notoriously violent Honduran security forces in order to commemorate Berta Caceres and defend her legacy of resistance.

Published on 24 July 2016 by teleSUR.

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Today, progressives throughout the world could learn many lessons from the July 26 1953, Moncada attack led by Fidel Castro, writes Arnold August.

In 1953, when virtually all the progressive and revolutionary forces in Cuba offered no viable solution to oppose the U.S.-backed Batista dictatorship, Fidel Castro and his comrades did indeed work out a path. It was a route characterized by game-changing statements inexorably coupled with exceptionally courageous deeds, out of which emerged the July 26 Movement.

This movement, supported by allies who later rallied to the cause, led to the January 1 1959 triumph of the revolution. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. However, history is still being made today as Cuba endures major challenges.

Published on 13 July 2016 by teleSUR.

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Legislation passed this week aims to reverse President Obama's policy of normalizing relations with the blockaded island nation.

The United States House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a number of clauses that seek to toughen U.S. sanctions on Cuba in the budget bill for 2017 financial services and general government services.

The new measures are at odds with U.S. President Barack Obama's policy of thawing relations with Cuba, which has been under a U.S. blockade for more than 50 years. To become law, the measures still need to pass the U.S. Senate and receive President Obama's signature, neither of which is guaranteed.

Published on 13 July 2016 by Granma.

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Full text of speech by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of the Councils of State and Ministers, during the National Assembly of People's Power 8th Legislature's 7th Period of Ordinary Sessions, in the Havana Convention Center, July 8, 2016, Year 58 of the Revolution.

"Compañeras and compañeros:

This year, we have had an intense first six months, with the holding of important national and international events, in the first place, the 7th Congress of our Party, where a group of transcendental agreements were reached, in the interest of updating the Cuban economic and social model.

Since this past Monday, the National Assembly's 10 permanent commissions have met, a framework within which deputies have analysed the questions most relevant to the life of the nation.

Published on 27 June 2016 by Granma.

Edwin Gonzalez Vasquez

The Puerto Rican Mission in Cuba was founded March 8, 1966 with the aim of supporting the country’s pro-independence efforts and calling for the release of political prisoners, including Oscar López Rivera, incarcerated for over 35 years.

During a UN Special Committee on Decolonization session Cuba once again demanded independence for the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico, subjected to 118 years of neo-colonial domination by the United States, a status which prevents it from adopting measures to resolve its difficult economic situation.

Poverty, unemployment, and the local government’s inability to pay off a debt in excess of 7.2 million dollars, are putting strain on the Caribbean island, which decades ago was intended to become the great showcase of the Caribbean, with monopolies based there exploiting the island’s natural resources and importing all the country’s consumer goods.

Published on 23 June 2016 by Granma.

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Remarks by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, President of Cuba's Councils of State and Ministers, after the signing of agreements on a bilateral, final ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, the laying down of arms, and guarantees of security in Colombia.

There is no going back in this peace process, said Cuban President Raúl Castro Ruz referring to the peace talks underway in Havana to end the armed conflict in Colombia, the continent's longest. He spoke during the signing ceremony (June 23) for the recent agreements reached by the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP).

After greeting the many heads of state and other dignitaries in attendance, he stated:

"On November 19, 2012, the Table Talks between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army started to work in Havana.

Published on 10 June 2016 by Granma.

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Caracas, 8 June — Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla called on the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (Alba-TCP) to strengthen strategies to confront imperialist intervention and coup plots on the continent, according to AVN.

In his comments, during the Alba-TCP Political Council meeting to discuss common strategies to defend the region, PL reported, Rodríguez likewise called on social movements to defend progressive governments facing attacks orchestrated by foreign powers, as is the case in Venezuela, which was subjected to an attempt by the Organization of American States (OAS) to justify intervention via the application of the bloc's Inter-American Charter, as well as Brazil, where a parliamentary coup and media campaign are currently underway against the country's legitimate President, Dilma Rousseff.

Published on 13 June 2016 by teleSUR

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Without an executive order, it is left to a Republican Congress to close the military prison.

U.S. President Barack Obama has been talking about closing the military-run Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba since before he ran for president in 2008, but despite years of promises he's now saying he won't use his power as commander-in-chief to unilaterally shutter the detention center.

Published on 4 June 2016 by Granma.

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Full text of speech by Raul Castro Ruz, President of Cuba's Councils of State and Ministers, opening the 7th Association of Caribbean States Summit.

Distinguished Heads of State and/or Government,

Esteemed Ambassador Alfonso Munera Cavadia, Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States,

Distinguished delegates and guests,

For the seventh time, we are meeting as Heads of States and/or Government, alongside other high representatives of the States and territories of the Association of Caribbean States, ACS. On this occasion we have gathered for a deep exchange on the theme “Together to confront the challenges of sustainable development, climate change and peace in the Caribbean”.