HAVANA, CUBA.- Cuban President Raul Castro sent a congratulations message to his Nicaraguan counterpart Daniel Ortega on the occasion of the celebrations of the 37th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution.
Cuban News Agency now reproduces the full text of the message
Havana, July 18, 2016
Year 58 of the Revolution
Dear Daniel:
Although it was not possible for me to join you, I thank you very much for the invitation to share, alongside your people, the celebration of the 37th anniversary of the triumph of the glorious Sandinista Revolution, which on July 19, 1979, put an end to the Somoza dictatorship and foreign domination.
As of that moment, a no less difficult and complicated stage began: the process of revolutionary transformations to the benefit of the Nicaraguan people, especially the most humble, and confronting the war unleashed by internal counterrevolutionaries and U.S. imperialism, in a very adverse regional situation.
The people could not be defeated, and the Revolution continues today under your sure leadership and that of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, achieving notable political, economic, and social gains. Nicaragua is today an independent, sovereign, peaceful, and democratic nation, of free men and women, as General Augusto César Sandino dreamed, and for which so many other patriots and revolutionaries gave their lives, among them the unforgettable Comandante Carlos Fonseca Amador.
Compañero Daniel Ortega Saavedra, President of the Republic of Nicaragua:
Over these years of struggle, we have forged indestructible ties of brotherhood, solidarity, and collaboration. We are proud to share with you the same revolutionary, anti-imperialist trench, working for sustainable development with social justice and equity, for the integration and unity of Our America.
Accept, in the name of Fidel and mine, that of our people and government, our fraternal greetings and solidarity, with the confidence that the Sandinista Revolution will continue advancing victoriously, and will always have the unconditional support of the Cuban Revolution.
A strong embrace,
Raúl Castro Ruz
President of the Councils of State and Ministers of the Republic of Cuba