BARBARA CANTERO, a representative of the Cuban Communist Youth (UJC), recently visited Australia to explain the activities of he organisation, learn more about the political situation in the Asian region and request increased solidarity for the Cuban Revolution. The UJC has more than million members, all under the age of 30. Cantero's visit was hosted by the socialist youth organisation Resistance. Green Left Weekly's LUISA ARA interviewed Cantero.
What is the role of the UJC?
The Cuban youth made the Cuban Revolution. The big movements that made the revolution — the great strikes and demonstrations — were organised by young people, with the help of the workers. Young people in Cuba are privileged, firstly, because we live with the gains of a revolution, and secondly, because the UJC provides a solid structure that allows young people to continue to lead the revolution.
The UJC has many projects and many goals. The UJC is inspiring the new generations to continue the struggle for socialism in Cuba, to keep up the fight for revolution's ideals and goals.
Young people are at the centre of the struggle in Cuba and internationally. We give great solidarity to many Third World countries in the struggle against imperialism, through health and education campaigns. The UJC is represented in the World Federation of Democratic Youth, in which many progressive organisations work to achieve a more just world.
We will celebrate all our achievements at the 40th anniversary of the UJC on April 4.
Ernesto "Che" Guevara has been an inspiration for young people struggling for a better world for decades. Does he still inspire young people in Cuba?
Che is the symbol of our revolution. Che was born in Argentina, but for us, Che is a Cuban. We are very proud that revolutionary youth across the world also admire the example of Che. We are determined that this continues.
For us, Che and his ideas are alive. Cuba is working to ensure that it provides more information about Che and his ideas, such as biographies and books of his writings. Che's revolutionary spirit and ideas should be also adopted by left-wing young people and socialist and progressive parties. The UJC strives to keep Che's revolutionary example as the guiding sentiment in Cuba. As long as that is the case, Che lives in Cuba.
The UJC played an important role in the campaign to return six-year-old Elian Gonzalez to Cuba. Tell us about that.
Elian was found alive floating in the Florida straits after the boat he and his mother were on sank. His mother was attempting to enter the US. Elian was rescued and held in the US, even though his father asked for him to be returned home. International sentiment forced the US to surrender the boy in July 2000, after eight months.
Elian's kidnapping was supported by the Cuban-American mafia in Miami. He was on his own. He had family members in the US, but he had not seen or heard of them in ages. Elian's father petitioned for his son's return and great movements in solidarity with Elian were organised by the Cuban people, and around the world. We even heard that in Australia, committees were formed and solidarity marches held.
The return of Elian was a great achievement, thanks to the solidarity of people around the world.
The UJC is now playing a central role in the movement in solidarity with the five Cuban comrades imprisoned in the US. What are these comrades accused of?
Our five comrades are prisoners of the empire. They have been imprisoned for being revolutionaries. They alerted Cuba of the danger of terrorist attacks from right-wing, US-based counter-revolutionaries.
[The "Miami Five" were sentenced in December on charges that include "conspiracy to commit espionage" and "conspiracy to commit murder". Their prison terms range from 10 years to life. Gerardo Hernandez was sentenced to two life terms on the "conspiracy to murder" charge for allegedly providing the Cuban authorities with information that led to the shooting down of four aircraft piloted by counter-revolutionaries that invaded Cuban airspace in 1996. The pilots ignored repeated warnings to turn back before they were downed.]
The UJC is organising a mass campaign in Cuba, as are supporters of the Cuban Revolution around the world. We are very sure that we will have our comrades back in Cuba.
Why have you come to Australia?
My mission in Australia is to explain the work the UJC does in Cuba and also to learn from other parties and organisations around the world. We do not want to tell other organisations what to do or how to work. We understand that political organisations in every country have their own way of doing things. Each country has a different political situation.
But we do want to express our idea that young people should not be silent and should not adopt a conformist position. The youth should be very dynamic.
My visit here reassures me that Cuba is admired by the progressive section of the world. You can count on Cuba for support for your struggles here and in the region.
Cuba's President Fidel Castro has issued strong statements on Washington's "war on terrorism". What is Cuba's position?
The critical speeches that Castro has delivered are not directed at the people of the USA. They are directed at the US government. Washington has been attempting to overthrow the Cuban Revolution for 42 years, and it is still trying. We respect the national sovereignty of all countries and we ask that ours is respected as well. The Cuban people will never give up our revolution.
Castro's speeches are of very specific and convincing themes. He argues his case with facts, not just words. He brings to light the hypocrisy and dishonesty of US imperialism as it attacks Cuba and other countries, attempts to intervene in the internal affairs of countries and seeks to disturb the peace of many nations.
What is Cuba's position on the US intervention in Colombia?
Cuba's position towards the situation in Colombia — as it is towards the situations in Puerto Rico, Palestine, Western Sahara and all other struggles in which people fight for their own liberation — is to offer humanitarian support. Cuba is against all terrorism and war directed against them.
What is Cuba's reaction to Washington's use of its Guantanamo Bay base as a prison for alleged al Qaeda and Taliban captives?
Cuba is not isolated from the world's sentiment against this. Cuba is against war, terrorism and torture. The Guantanamo Bay base is located in Cuba, but it belongs to the USA. It was seized from Cuba almost 100 years ago. So Cuba has no legislative power over it. But that doesn't stop us from showing our disapproval of the torture the US is committing there.
How important is Cuba's struggle against neo-liberalism?
This is a battle that won't end until the politics of neo-liberal globalisation are defeated. In 1999, the UJC organised an international student youth event against neoliberal politics. Representatives from all over the world participated. Cuban representatives were also very active at the World Social Forum in Brazil.
These forums express the unity of the peoples, the youth and the progressive organisations of the world in the struggle against this "monster", against this common enemy. At the same time, it fortifies progressive forces. We clarify different concepts and increase the fighting spirit of all the organisations that participate.
The present world situation requires that the progressive youth of the world have to work together, their organisations have to become more powerful by working together. That unity should be a priority.
From Green Left Weekly, February 27, 2002.
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