Periodico 26

Students, children, intellectuals, political leaders, thinkers pay tribute to José Martí, in Cuba and abroad, on occasion of the 166th anniversary of his birth.

CUBANS, FRENCH HIGHLIGHT UNIVERSALITY OF JOSE MARTÍ'S THINKING

Paris.- José Martí's thought enlightens those who dream of a better world, highlighted Monday in France during a tribute to Cuba's National Hero, on the 166th anniversary of his birth.

Cubans and French friends gathered to recall the Apostle, an occasion when Justo Rodríguez, Head of Political Affairs and Educational Cooperation at the Cuban embassy in Paris, stressed his universal thinking.

The diplomat reminded attendees that Martí's example was a guide for the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro.

In this regard, he quoted his words when he said that 'Marti is the idea of good, we have received from Marti the ethical principles without which a Revolution cannot even be conceived. We also receive from him his inspiring patriotism and a high concept of honor and human dignity as no one in the world could have taught us.

Rodriguez argued the exceptional example of creator and humanist Marti bequeathed is to be remembered throughout the centuries.

"Now, when the United States intensifies the brutal blockade against our country, Martí's sense of unity is totally valid regarding the main issues that concern Cubans in transcendental moments the Homeland is living," he said.

In this regard, he specifically referred to the constitutional referendum to be held soon in Cuba, where the unitary sense prevailing in Marti and Fidel's thinking is appreciated.

After the ceremony, Cuban children and teenagers laid a floral offering in front of Martí's bust in the Square of Latin America, northeast of Paris.

The meeting was attended by the staff of Cuba's state mission in France, Cuban residents, as well as friends of solidarity organizations such as France-Cuba and Cuba Sí France.

MOVING TRIBUTE IN COLOMBIA

Bogota.- Intellectuals, leaders politicians, cultural figures and a massive representation of the Colombian Movement odf Solidarity with Cuba rendered a moving tribute to José Martí, on occasion of the 166th anniversary of his birth.

The evocation of the figure and trascendent legacy of the National Cuban Hero took place at the embassy of the island in Bogota, with the participation also of Cuban residents in this South American country, diplomats and workers of the Greater of the Antilles.

In name of the Colombian Movement of Solidarity with Cuba spoke Jorge Cáceres, who highlighted the legacy of Marti in thought and action and extolled the significance of the Cuban Revolution for the peoples of Latin America and the world.

Jaime Caycedo, secretary general of the Communist Party of Colombia, stressed the infinite gratitude to the government and the Cuban people for their constribution to build peace in Colombia.

Jorge Rojas, leader of the movement Colombia Humana, reiterated the gratitude to the Caribbean nation and recalled that during the mayorship of former presidential candidate Gustavo Petro, an infant daycare was built named Jose Martí, guided by that beautiful Martí thought that "children are born to be happy."

Speakers at the event were also José Miguel Blanco, representative of the Association of Cuban Residents in Colombia, who referred to Martí's significance for Cuba.

Lina María Murcia, Colombian doctor graduated in ELAM faculty in Havana and Colombian intellectual Hector Arias
who stressed the ethic pillars of Martí's ideas and the need to return to Marti to find a way out of present problems in the world.

Artists from both nations performed and children placed a flower wreath before the bust of the Apostle in the Cuban diplomatic see and presented a much applauded review of José Martí's thoughts.

At the closing ceremony, Santiago Jaramillo, in the name of the Solidarity Movement, handed Cuban ambassador, Jose Luis Ponce, a banner illustrating a world map with Cuban flags in the numerous countries where solidarity aid from Cuba has been received.

The Cuban ambassador thanked the presence and love from all those present, concluding his words referring to the known chorus of the Singer-author of Argentina, Fito Páez, "Who said that all is lost, Cuba comes to offer her heart."

CUBAN EMIGRANTS IN U.S. REMEMBER JOSÉ MARTÍ AND SUPPORT MADURO

Washington.- Members of the Martiana Alliance, gathering Cuban emigration groups in the U.S. city of Miami, Florida, celebrated the birth of their home country's National Hero, José Martí, 166 years ago this day.

At the event, held Sunday, the participants also recalled the birth of the alliance in 2001, and denounced the interventionist actions of the US Government and its allies against the administration of Venezuela's constitutionally elected president, Nicolás Maduro.

Five days ago, in a new act of interference, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized the self-proclaimed interim president of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, Head of the National Assembly, Parliament in contempt.

Maduro , in the face of U.S. interference, decided to break off diplomatic relations between both nations, and denounced that Washington is leading an operation to impose a coup d'état with a puppet government.

Several speakers, said the Alliance in a note, highlighted the legacy of Marti (1853-1895), his relationship with Venezuela, and the position of that country and its legitimate leaders to face the attacks.

On the other hand, Andrés Gómez, national coordinator of the Antonio Maceo Brigade, member of the alliance, referred to the importance of supporting the new Cuban Constitution in the next February 24 referendum.

He also addressed the Alliance campaign to demand the reopening of U.S. consular services in Havana and the granting of immigrant visas to Cubans eligible to obtain them.

TRIBUTE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Pretoria.- Cubans in the South African capital attended Monday an event marking the 166th anniversary of José Martí's birth, remembering the Cuban National Hero with references to his action, work and thought.

Representatives of the Cuban embassy, of the collaboration missions in Hydraulic Resources, Construction and Education participated in this event, in which a documentary about his life was shown, ideas and passages from several of his works and the trajectory of his short but fruitful existence were debated. The validity of Martí's ideas and his forerunner vision of what would become the then recent birth of capitalism in the United States was highlighted by Ambassador Rodolfo Benítez, who referred to the Apostle's unfinished letter to his Mexican friend Manuel Mercado, expressing his views on the matter.

In that letter, Martí said his militant actions in the Cuban countryside were sustained by his duty "to prevent in time with the independence of Cuba the United States from spreading through the Antilles and falling, with that force over our lands of America."

The act concluded with a floral offering in front of a tree and a memorial to Martí in the gardens of the diplomatic mission. (PL)