Cuba and Nicaragua: Two Sister Revolutions Eduardo Martínez Borbonet, former Cuban Ambassador to Nicaragua, writes: in Our America there are no two processes with as many similarities as those of Cuba and Nicaragua. The hallmark of both revolutions is often referred to as the method used to seize power… However, there are also other features that distinguish them: 1- Each is based on a long tradition of struggle of its peoples, which goes back to the rebellious and indomitable spirit of its indigenous and Creole populations. Diriangén, Nicarao, Adiact, Andrés Castro, Zeledón, Sandino; Hatuey, Aponte, Varela, Céspedes, Maceo, Martí. 2- Authenticity. Their battles were inspired, led and directed by people from their peoples, beyond the undeniable contributions of extraordinary internationalists such as Máximo Gómez, Farabundo Martí, Che Guevara, who fused their blood and ideals with ours. 3- Nationalism and anti-imperialism. The struggles in Cuba and Nicaragua, independently of their patriotic and nationalist character, were from the beginning marked by a strong anti-imperialist sentiment. 4- The spiritual and moral strength of the precursors precedes and surpasses the political and ideological component in both processes. The Nicaraguan people are above all Sandinista and Danielista, just as the Cuban people are above all Martian and Fidelista. 5- Another feature that distinguishes them is their radicalism. The changes carried out at the socioeconomic, structural, political and legal levels were very radical in order to benefit the less favored sectors. 6- Reciprocal respect and loyalty. Not because it preceded it in time and enjoyed greater experience, did Cuba ever try to belittle, tutor or ignore the Sandinistas. 7- Leadership. Both Revolutions have had strong and clear leaders who have known how to guide the destinies of their people with firmness and wisdom. Fidel, who never gave away praise, said this to Daniel in a message for the 35th anniversary: “You and Rosario, as was later the Bolivarian leader Hugo Chavez, unavoidable champion of the struggle for socialism and the anti-imperialist revolution in Latin America, will occupy a place of honor in the history of the peoples of this continent.”
Jill Clark-Gollub: US Government Exploits Animosity Towards Migrants to Demonize Socialist Countries The Republican party has been waging a blatantly racist campaign to criminalize migrants. Instead of pushing back on that narrative, the party that purports to be for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Democrats) is exploiting this racist anger to discredit a country it has targeted for regime change—Nicaragua. It included bizarre accusations regarding the crime of human trafficking. For at least five years now, Cuba detractors have been alleging that the world-renowned Henry Reeve Brigade, which sends Cuban physicians around the world bringing medical care to address humanitarian disasters, is a human trafficking ring. Now Nicaragua is being accused of human trafficking, too, because it applies immigration policies that respect international law. Congresswoman Salazar appears eager to pursue this charge and have Nicaragua join Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. The Monroe Doctrine and the Cold War appear to be alive and well in the US Congress and State Department.
Daniel Ortega: The prestige of the People’s Republic of China under President Xi Jinping is a prestige that has managed to settle across the planet, and in the BRICS they form a very important group that is a brake on imperialist policies China today is really serving as a compass, pointing the Way which other Nations share as well, that Planet Earth cannot continue to live under the boot of Empires which accumulate wealth at the expense of Developing Peoples, crushing them, invading them, murdering them. This has to change, and it will surely have to change, because every day we find more countries defending these positions…China is an extraordinary example of what a Great Power can be by engaging respectfully with small nations in all these Regions that I have mentioned to you. Undoubtedly, the prestige of the People’s Republic of China under President Xi Jinping is a prestige that has managed to settle across the planet, and in the BRICS they form a very important group that is a brake on imperialist policies, the policies of invasion, of sanctions. It is a brake, and thus the New World is being shaped, the New World that will bring Peace and Happiness to Humanity.
Venezuelanalysis: Venezuela at the Polls: Presidential Elections 2024 An infographic breaking down the upcoming presidential elections in Venezuela, from facts and figures to candidate profiles, including the actual voting system.
Orinoco Tribune: Chavistas Warn About Media Warfare Against Venezuela’s Elections The Venezuelan deputy minister for anti-blockade policies, William Castillo condemned that a group of international media outlets are predicting an outcome for the presidential elections, scheduled for July 28, in which they claim there will be fraud. “We are talking about The Guardian in the United Kingdom, El País in Spain, The New York Times and The Washington Post in the United States, and other international news agencies.” On July 18, a news piece by CNN claiming that President Maduro allegedly announced that “there will be a bloodshed in Venezuela if he doesn’t win the elections.”
Mision Verdad: Three Economic Facts Ahead of the July 28 Venezuela Elections Citizens’ assessment of a government’s performance is largely determined by the direct impact their personal and family economic situation experiences in a given period. Indicators such as inflation, unemployment, purchasing power and economic growth are used to evaluate a government’s economic management, reflecting how the economy affects people’s daily lives. Since 2018 the Economic Recovery, Growth and Prosperity Program has been implemented, which has allowed not only to face the restrictive external context that the sanctions represent but to resume the stability and growth that it shows today.growth will continue in 2024 and could be around 8%. From 2020 to 2024, the number of businesses in Venezuela rose to more than 76,508, and between 2018 and 2024, 62,607 brands of all types of products came onto the market. Accumulated inflation so far this year remains at 7.8%, a figure considerably lower than that observed in previous years.
California AFL CIO convention Resolution Urging that Cuba be removed from the US List of State Sponsors of Terrorism With more than 700 delegates, attending and representing 2.3 million workers in nearly 2,000 different union locals throughout the state of California, the convention unanimously passed a resolution demanding that Washington remove Cuba from its notorious list of terrorist nations (SSOT).
Rick Sterling: 170 Years of U.S. Aggression against Nicaragua During the past two centuries virtually every Latin American and Caribbean country has had to endure US intervention and interference in their internal affairs. The coups, political manipulation and aggression directed by Washington have been relentless. One of the most victimized countries has been Nicaragua. There have been eight distinct types of US interference and aggression against Nicaragua.
Orinoco Tribune: More Than One Million Tourists Visited Venezuela in First 6 Months of 2024 Venezuela received more than 1.1 million tourists during the six months of 2024, reported Tourism Minister Alí Padrón. Padrón highlighted the importance of tourism in the Venezuelan economy, and added that the sector has been growing for 11 consecutive quarters.
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Events
July 22, 1:30 pm ET: What’s Really Happening in Venezuela with Venezuelan Ambassador Felix Plasencia and Francisco Dominguez
July 23: Webinar 12 noon ET: Cuba’s Humanitarian Crisis Congressman Jim McGovern, William LeoGrande, Rev. Carlos Ham, former President of the Caribbean Conference of Churches; Rev. Russell Meyer, Executive Director of the Florida Council of Churches
July 23: Venezuela: High Stakes Election Threatened by US Sanctions Maria Paez Victor, Joe Emersberger, Sara Flounders
July 26 Toronto: Celebration Of Cuba’s Rebellion Day
July 27 Victoria: Cuba’s National Day of Rebellion & Solidarity with Palestine
July 27 Chicago: Cuba in Africa film, with director speaking
August 19-22 Protest at the Democratic National Convention. Join contingents against the US blockades and economic warfare on Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua Contact Stansfieldsmith100@gmail.com
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Delegations to Cuba, Nicaragua
Cuba Delegations
December 1-9: National Single Payer: Invitation To Join Our Delegation To Cuba
Witness for Peace delegations to Cuba
Friendly Planet delegations to Cuba
Nicaragua Delegations Casa Ben Linder 2024
Email casabenjaminlinder@gmail.com to apply:
November 8-17 2024: Salud & Solidaridad: Hands-On Healthcare in Nicaragua
February 2025: The Bird Brigade: Birding in Solentiname Arquipelago
March 2025: Power & Protagonism: Women in Nicaragua
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If you have events to publicize or find helpful articles for readers on the ALBA countries, please send them to stansfieldsmith100@gmail.com, or you can post them on Facebook here: Venezuela; Nicaragua; Bolivia; Latin America in general (here or here) Or send them to venezuelaweekly@afgj.org
Chicago ALBA Solidarity 