(This is a lightly edited version of a speech delivered by Cuban diplomat Ricardo Tur Novo, on the occasion of the 89th birthday of retired Cuban President Fidel Castro Ruz, during a function held at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica’s auditorium on August 13.)

THE reason that brings us to this function is to celebrate Commander in Chief Fidel Castro’s 89th birthday.

Fidel does not belong only to Cuba. For his strength of character and consistent behaviour during nearly half a century of struggle, Fidel has gone on to become a symbol for the peoples of the world. He has made a huge contribution to humanity with his ideas, actions and example as a tireless fighter for a more just and equitable world. For these reasons, we share the idea that we should celebrate all Fidel´s birthday.

Since he was a youngster Fidel rejected all kinds of injustice. That feeling of rebelliousness against all forms of oppression grew in strength and eventually led him to give up the comforts of his home and lead a generation of young people committed to obtaining Cuba’s true sovereignty.

That courageous generation, guided accurately by Fidel, performed heroic actions for the triumph of a Revolution of the humble, by the humble and for the humble in Cuba, as dreamed of by Cuba’s National Hero José Martí.

Fidel’s courage has been shown countless times throughout his life, for example, when in the trial following the attack on the Moncada Garrison, he bravely took full responsibility for being the leader of the attack; and when he organised a guerrilla movement in exile and landed in Cuba to fight a much larger, more equipped and powerful army.

This is Fidel — a leader who, after commanding a revolutionary movement that broke down the barriers that segregated the vast majority of the Cuban population, never succumbed to constant threats of imperialism against the Revolution.

Cuba, blocked and with only few material resources, but led by Fidel and supported by its people, has entered the 21st century with a social situation that was unthinkable before the triumph of January 1, 1959.

Undoubtedly, Fidel is one of the great figures of this era. His name is repeated with admiration on all continents and in all languages. Fidel has been a paradigm in terms of solidarity with and support for the most needy, no matter which remote spots of the world have required Cuba’s assistance.

He has promoted and organised the cooperation of tens of thousands of Cuban health professionals, teachers and technicians, who have provided service in more than 40 Third World countries.

He has promoted globally the Third World’s struggle against the existing international economic order, particularly against foreign debt, the waste of resources as a result of military expenditures, and neo-liberal globalisation, as well as efforts for the unity and integration of Latin America and the Caribbean. All his speeches to the United Nations have been memorable, and each strong denunciation made in those speeches has remained as guidelines in the struggle for a new world economic order and a multipolar world without hegemony of any kind.

Today, the friendship and love of Jamaicans for Fidel, and of Fidel for the people and Government of Jamaica, have risen to the highest levels. All Cubans present here can bear witness that in all places we have visited in Jamaica, we have received expressions of solidarity, respect and affection of all Jamaicans, and the name of Fidel or simply “the Commander” is always mentioned.

It is his unshakable conviction in human improvement and the right of peoples to enjoy the same opportunities that has inspired Fidel to devote his whole life to defend unity among peoples as the only way to achieve a better world. His vision of Latin America, like Bolívar’s and Martí’s, as a comprehensive and autonomous community able to move the world, is becoming a reality with the advancement of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

At 89 years of age, Fidel remains loved by his people. He is a banner and a symbol of humanity. His age has not prevented him from continuing the struggle to save the planet and the human species. His sustained intellectual activity is now a powerful tool to denounce the systematic exploitation of the environment and the genocides committed year after year against human communities.

Undoubtedly, the Sierra Maestra legendary warrior has grown in the hearts of the humble, and he has earned a place in history.

I would like to remark that today is also the birthday of the Cuban hero Rene Gonzalez, who suffered an unjust imprisonment in the United States for more than a decade.

To conclude, we would like to wish a happy birthday to Fidel.

Congratulations dear Commander!

Long live Fidel!

Long live the Cuban Revolution!

Long live the friendship between Cuba and Jamaica!

Ricardo Tur Novo is acting Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica.