Why does someone defend himself? No one and nothing defends themselves, but rather that which defends itself against another who defends himself. Even in games, a defense is mounted in order not to be crushed (in the best sense of the word) by the opponent.
The Cuban Revolution has had to defend itself from the beginning, from a colossal and criminal enemy who has had recourse to the most vile methods in order to crush it, justify itself and legitimize itself in military, economic, commercial, financial, psychological and cultural terms.
One of the measures taken by the revolutionary government of Cuba, led by Fidel Castro and formed after the triumph of the revolution on January 1, 1959, was the creation of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDRs) on September 28, 1960. This was a reaction to the sabotage, terrorist actions and counter-revolutionary actions of stateless individuals who were financed by the Miami mafia in an attempt to stop the new government in its tracks.
In his speech on the closing session of the 4 th Congress of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDRs) on September 26, 1993, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro said the following: “The CDRs were created in September 1960 and by the end of that year, they were all established; we have seen Bay of Pigs in 1961 and the October crisis in 1962 – we have been through a lot and have reacted to it with great courage and heroism. However, you have to understand that the current situation is far more complicated – much more complicated – and we need even more effort, courage, heroism, and intelligence, a more efficient structure, a wider dissemination of revolutionary fervor and a more consistent and determined fight precisely to be able to withstand all this and not allow it to happen again.
Thus, as the undermining and anti-Cuban actions of the enemy of the Cuban Revolution ceased, the work of the CDRs turned to other issues while preserving their revolutionary and militant spirit. The Committees continue to play a positive role in Cuba, fulfilling various functions in many areas of social life.
According to the Cuban President, and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Fidel Castro, who spoke at the 5 th Congress of the CDRs in 1967: “It should also be noted that recently, the mass character of the Committees has been manifested more and more strongly, as well as their role as a link between the masses and the organs of state power. Consequently, the mass organization of the CDRs, the best example of which is the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, is being generated in Cuba, trends are being formed, and methods for developing new and more advanced forms of democracy are being sought. Thus, another step has been taken in the direction of people’s sovereignty in Cuba, which is being realized through the CDRs, which are beginning to serve as a link between the masses and the state, between the masses and the party.
At the same time, it is noteworthy that the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution have had a great impact on the solidarity with the Cuban people and the well-being of the Cuban people in general, and more specifically – on the communication between the inhabitants of a district and a block of flats, since it is based on and encourages solidarity. The great value and significance of the CDRs, which actively and consistently fulfill their civic and revolutionary duties, can be seen from the above.
The activities of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution in Cuba are not only of a national and military-security nature; they also involve medical workers who provide health care to people in need both in Cuba and abroad. Such selfless help to other peoples and countries is actively carried out by medical workers of the “Henry Reeve” International Contingent of Doctors specializing in Natural Disasters and Epidemics.
Today, the Cuban Revolution is once again in danger because it is being subjected to the most ruthless, cruel, and massive measures of economic, commercial, and financial blockade, which were officially declared in 1962. The Cuban Revolution has been waging a relentless and ruthless struggle against such attempts to crush it, and the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution have shown amazing courage and heroism. At their meetings, the CDR members not only express their condemnation of the actions of the enemies of Cuba but also show solidarity and support for the Cuban Revolution in general.
They are also being created Defense Brigades and Territorial Troop Militias, which are ready to fight to the bitter end in case of an armed attack on any territory of Cuba.
The Cuban Revolution is waging a relentless and relentless defense war against all kinds of aggression from a formidable enemy who is seeking to crush it by all available means. However, despite the massive rejection of Cuba and the condemnation of the mass of peoples and governments of the world expressed at the United Nations, the enemy continues its relentless pressure on Cuba.
