History has confirmed an undeniable truth about the actions of July 26, 1953, when, under the leadership of Fidel Castro, were attacked the Moncada barracks in Santiago de Cuba and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, in Bayamo. There, more than against two enemy positions and the military that defended, it was fought against an unjust social system.
From where were the attackers? They were young workers, peasants, students, humble workers representing the great oppressed masses without rights. There was among them no rich, no political corrupt, no candidate succeed to gain positions. All were inspired by the desire to overthrow the tyranny for freedom and full sovereignty of Cuba, to solve the major political, economic and social problems facing the Cuban nation.
If a confirmation on that truth is needed , here is the social composition of the 61 young people who gave their lives in these actions, of which only six fell in combat and 55 killed after being taken prisoner.
Seven builders, 2 roof workers, 1 rhinestones worker, 2 carpenters., 2 builders of furniture, 7 agricultural workers and peasants, a refrigeration mechanic., 2 drivers and an assistant driver., 2 laborers spring., 2chefs. A worker without specialty, a bartender, a gourmet, a baker, tinkerer, an employee of brewery, 2 shoemakers, 2 office workers, a doctor, a bank clerk, 2 traveling salesmen, 2 photographers, employees, a student, a teacher, a poet, a ship broker, helping his father in this task, a shop assistant; among others
Many others, who survived were from the same humble origins. And the head of the assault itself, whose parents were well off, had given up their property to devote everything to the cause of the people.
That really baffled even the tyrant Fulgencio Batista, who, accustomed to power struggles between corrupt politicians, had no choice but to lie without scruples of any kind, to public opinion.
So, the day after the events of July 26, the tyrant claims that the assailants "had been recruited between domestic and foreign mercenaries". He accused the president he ousted in a coup by the March 10, 1952 Carlos Prio Socarrás- being funded with a million pesos actions.
In its unparalleled cynicism, the dictator said: "The millionaires men, as if cuddle on their piles of cash, announce revolutions, arm arms, buy weapons abroad, spent pouring capital in a strange land, and not enough with having looted the treasury, with having damaged the health of people with have deeply hurt the national economy; no, it is necessary to discredit the Republic, getting the blood, but not risk your life. They, from there between mattresses notes and silk, maliciously and maneuvering that have fallen civilians are anonymous and there is no visible leader ".
This is the man who said in his previous presidential term had stolen more than 40 million pesos to the treasury. And he steals more between 1952-1958 when, among other properties and shady business, came to have nine sugar mills, a bank, three airlines, a paper a road transport, a producer of gas, two motels, several radio and television, magazines, a building materials factory, a tourist center, several rural and urban property, several colonies and US firms, with dissimilar properties, in many cases, appeared disguised under other names.
However, the head of the assault on July 26, Fidel Castro, who had been on the front lines of combat, risking his life and saved her miraculously, being taken prisoner 1st. August 1953, as the only financial capital had eight peso bills. It was only a millionaire in moral and patriotism, in what were beggars all commanders of tyranny.
Fulgencio Batista qualified to the heroes of July 26 as domestic and foreign mercenaries. It was facing the reality that was honest fighters against domestic and foreign oppressors, who were classified in the book owners Cuba 1958, Guillermo Jimenez, in its origin. Of the 551 most influential and powerful of the oligarchy, residents in the country, 65 were Spanish, 24 Americans and others of a mosaic of nationalities
But this time the fight would be between wolves. It would be honorable, patriotic and revolutionary people against wolves. Moncada was a failure from the military point of view; but it was a political victory, because it marked the beginning of a new stage of struggle, the last, and the Cuban people for their true redemption.
It is also clear that the fight was not against the soldiers. Clearly what Fidel said in La Historia me Absolvera (History Will Absolve Me). At that time, military troops in the country amounted to more than 21. 300. The big bosses got richer, while the vast majority got pitiful wages to defend the interests of the exploiters and murderers.
A fact that demonstrates the inability of tyranny to understand the reasons that led to that group of young people to combat the July 26, 1953, is the collection that became traditional and politicians opposed to Batista regime, who were tried in the same trial of the revolutionaries. The total of 59, had to be acquitted, not having had any relationship with the uprising.
It was the trial of one of these politicians, Dr. Ramiro Arango Alsina, which resulted in a statement by Fidel Castro that has become universal. The she accused, who exercised his own defense, Fidel asked if it was not true that he was not -Ramiro- masterminding the assault, to which the revolutionary leader said, "No one should worry about being accused of being the mastermind of the Revolution, because the only intellectual author of the Moncada is José Martí, the apostle of our independence ".
The insurgent weapons of July 26, 1953, targeted against the heart of an unjust society. Today - 62 years after that triumph and gestation built and defended work, they confirm. That is the historical truth behind every shot of the Moncada attackers.