Message From Fidel To Daniel Ortega

[Lenin's Law]

Don't believe this has been posted before on this site. It is a message from Cuban President Fidel Castro congratulating the President-elect of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega after winning the election. Although most of us here on revleft have been very critical of Ortega, Castro offers zero criticisms of him and just writes in praise of him. I understand that Castro is still, a politician, despite being a leftist one, but I would at least hope for some kind of message about adhering or remembering his revolutionary/radical roots and a friendly reminder to stand for the working class. This would have been particularly useful in light of his (Ortega's) recent turn to reformism and opportunism, but instead all we see here is unequivocal praise and optimism.


http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2006/noviembre.../46daniel2.html (http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2006/noviembre/mier8/46daniel2.html)

Havana, November 7, 2006

“Year of the Energy Revolution in Cuba”

Dear Daniel:

The magnificent Sandinista victory fills our people with joy and at the same time fills the terrorist and genocidal government of the United States with ignominy. That is why both you and the heroic people of Nicaragua deserve our warmest congratulations.

Among the people of the United States themselves, you will have many friends, given that to fight for a better world is to fight for hope of life for all peoples.

Signed,

Fidel Castro Ruz

[PRC-UTE]

right now Cuba's working hard to develop an anti-imperialist front comprised of many nations. This is more a strategic move than endorsement of politics imo.

[Lenin's Law]

Yea I basically agree, though some words about "remember your radical past" or "revolutionary past" would not have been unwarranted.

[loveme4whoiam]

True, but for a short, and more importantly open letter to Ortega Castro must show a totally united front against the USA etc, despite Ortega's... odd policy choices with regards to abortion etc.

I would be surprised that Cuba could still do that PRC-UTE - I mean, aside from being a symbol of withstanding imperialist attack for forty-odd years being very generous with doctors and things, Cuba doesn't have any massive political leverage within South America. I would have thought Chavez in Venezuala, with that "wonderful" oil sitting beneath his feet, is in a much stronger position to form such an anti-imperialist front around itself.

Then again I could be getting it wrong. I had a lecture about Venezuala in my International Relations module last week and it appears to me like Chavez is making a bid to become a continental hegemon. Not thats thats a bad thing... per se.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Yeah, this is a strategic move, as has been mentioned; but the letter was actually perfectly honest.

The U.S. government is upset that Ortega got elected, very much so. They did alot to prevent that. This is more because of what Ortega once stood for, and what many Sandanistas still do.

Fidel said the Sandanista victory brings happiness to the Cuban people, which it does. As bad as Ortega has become, he's not going to join the U.S. attacks against Cuba.

I'm not sure if this letter would have been the best place to bring up criticism. I see that error alot here (people wanting public criticisms at all time on everything). It's not always the correct thing to do.

Now, an article written by Circles Robinson, in Prensa Latina, which is Cuba's Latin American news agency, there is criticism of both candidates who ran for president in Nicaragua.


Originally posted by Prensa Latina Article
At the request of the Catholic Church and many Evangelical leaders, Ortega's FSLN and both Rizo and Montealegre's liberal party factions joined together to rush through a repeal of a law that has saved thousands of women's lives.

Under a campaign that abortion is murder and ignoring the true nature of the law that deals with cases when a woman's life is in danger, 28 legislators of Ortega's party and 24 Liberals affiliated to the PLC and ALN rushed through the repeal last week at the National Assembly.

Not one legislator voted nay while others preferred not to turn on their voting machines.

The only presidential candidate opposing the banning of therapeutic abortions was Edmundo Jarquin of the MRS (no seats in the Assembly) who stood fast despite the possible electoral fallout in a country highly influenced by religious leaders.

While it was no surprise that the PLC and ALN supported the repeal, Ortega's strong pro-Church stance was an eye-opener for many physicians and women's organizations.

The full article. (http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={8FE88D9D-5B87-43CE-A03C-5893DDB2EC8C}&language=EN)