Limonar Commemorates 50 Years Since the Start of Operation Carlota (+photos).
A political event and military ceremony commemorated the 50th anniversary of the start of Cuba’s internationalist military mission in the Republic of Angola, Operation Carlota, held at the Al Esclavo Rebelde Museum in the Matanzas municipality of Limonar.
A political event and military ceremony commemorated the 50th anniversary of the start of Cuba’s internationalist military mission in the Republic of Angola, Operation Carlota, held at the Al Esclavo Rebelde Museum in the Matanzas municipality of Limonar.
In homage to those who fell in the line of duty during Operation Carlota, a moment of silence was observed and floral offerings were placed on behalf of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and the people of Cuba.
The Cuban President and the member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee, Roberto Morales Ojeda, attended the tribute to the fallen and combatants who participated in the epic struggle against apartheid and imperialism in Angola.
The words of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro resonated throughout the event as he referred to Operation Carlota. In the excerpt, Fidel recalled that «we are fulfilling an internationalist duty when we help the people of Angola.
» The AfroCuba group performed «Conga,» and the improvisational poets Orismay Hernández and Ricardo González dedicated décimas (ten-line stanzas) to the example of solidarity and internationalism shown by the Cuban people.
Special guests included a group of Reserve Generals who played an active role in the mission, as well as family members of the fallen combatants.
Lázaro Oquendo Ordóñez, a participant in the mission, emphasized the importance of the support provided by Cuban troops and their experience, and paid tribute to his fallen comrades.
The keynote address was delivered by the head of the Political Directorate of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Major General Víctor
Rojo Ramos. In his remarks, he praised the example of the Cuban people, the protagonists of the mission, and the glory they deserve.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, he stated that the Cuban victory marked the turning point in the scourge of apartheid on the African continent. He extolled the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale.
The event was attended by the diplomatic and military corps accredited to Cuba, especially the ambassadors of Namibia and South Africa, and the Chargé d’Affaires of Angola.
On November 5th, 1975, Fidel Castro bid farewell to the first troops sent to Angola.
Taken from the author’s Facebook profile.
Written by Pedro Rizo.
