Santiago de Cuba Commemorates 67th Anniversary of the Revolution

The provincial ceremony for the 67th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution was held today in the municipality of Palma Soriano. The event was dedicated to the centennial of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz (1926–2016), the historic leader of the emancipatory process that began on January 1, 1959.

The commemoration, which carried a marked spirit of unity and commitment to revolutionary ideals, was presided over by Beatriz Johnson Urrutia and Manuel Falcón Hernández, president and vice president of the Provincial Defense Council of Santiago de Cuba, respectively.

During the ceremony, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) presented political organization membership cards to new militants. It was also a space to pay tribute to the nine municipalities of Santiago for their outstanding participation in recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa, which struck the eastern region of the country in October.

In this context, recognition from the Provincial Committee of the PCC and the Provincial Government was awarded to the territories that have excelled in recovery programs and in boosting the economy and social services.

During her speech, Johnson Urrutia highlighted the achievements of 2025, a year marked by the resilience of the people of Santiago in the face of natural and economic challenges. She emphasized that, despite the difficulties imposed by Hurricane Melissa and the "U.S. blockade," "the Revolution did not abandon anyone."

The leader highlighted the solidarity and strength of the Cuban people as fundamental factors in the recovery of affected areas and in driving social and economic programs. "In this 2025, we have achieved progress in economic modernization, with growth in exports and a favorable budgetary result; we have consolidated banking, electronic payments, and continue to invest in improving our communities, because true development is that which reaches the heart of the people," she stated.

Johnson Urrutia urged a concentration of efforts to increase food production, secure tasks to strengthen the National Electrical System, promote exports, and advance work with youth. "Everything we do will bear the mark of Fidel: our best tribute will be to build, work, and overcome," she said.

The event took place in the historic municipality of Palma Soriano, birthplace of great traditions of struggle, and served as a setting for a message of unity and resistance.

In her address, the president of the Provincial Defense Council recalled the heroic deeds that have marked the history of the region, mentioning historical figures such as Antonio Maceo and Máximo Gómez, as well as the importance of continuing the legacy of Fidel Castro Ruz, whose imprint remains alive in every corner of the territory.

She further stressed the importance of continuing to advance in education, culture, and sports as fundamental pillars of the nation's development, as highlighted by Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of the Republic. "The true social victory is the one that builds an inclusive, equitable, and solidary society. That is the Cuba we defend, the Revolution we continue to build," affirmed the highest authority of Santiago.

Finally, she assured that in the year of Fidel Castro Ruz's centennial, the province of Santiago de Cuba will remain steadfast in its commitment to revolutionary principles, materializing the conviction that "the struggle for sovereignty, independence, and the well-being of the Cuban people will continue, regardless of external difficulties and the challenges of the moment."