Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Cuba Will Not Go Toward Capitalism Now or Ever: Raul Castro
27 December 2016
Telesur

Cuba is also preparing for its first anniversary of the Cuban Revolution without Fidel Castro.
Cuban President Raul Castro said that the socialist country will not head towards capitalism, as the country prepares for the first anniversary of the Cuban Revolution after the death of his brother Fidel.

Raul spoke at the national assembly, after over a month since he announced to the world the death of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on November 25.

He spoke about the economy of the nation predicting that the economy will grow and the Gross Domestic Product will grow moderately at around 2 percent.

To achieve this, three decisive premises must be fulfilled: ensuring exports and their timely billing, increasing domestic production that replaces imports, and reducing all non-essential expenses, he added.

The president also said the country shouldn’t be afraid of foreign capital arriving on the island.

“We are not going towards capitalism, that is completely ruled out, as our Constitution states,” said Raul, "but we must not be afraid of it (foreign capital) and put obstacles in the way to what we can do within the framework of existing laws, which implies the preparation of cadre and specialists to negotiate, as well as analyzing the deficiencies and mistakes made in the past so as not to repeat them," said the army general.

The national assembly approved legislation that will carry out Fidel’s final dying wish that will forbid the use of his name and image on streets, statues, parks, government institutions and public places.

Raul will lead the celebrations in honor of the anniversary of the triumph of the revolution on January 1, 1959.

“His spirit of struggle will remain in the consciousness of revolutionaries of today, tomorrow and forever,” said Raul. “And we will demonstrate this in the military march of the people on Jan. 2, in tribute to the Commander in Chief and to our youth.”

The president said Cuba has fought against internal and external economic hardships and still come out strong, even with the ongoing blockade from the U.S. that forbids the island from doing any international transactions in U.S. dollars

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