A few days ago, I, along with supporters of Cuba around the world and Cubans themselves celebrated July 26.
What’s so special about July 26? Let me tell you. I think you’ll enjoy the story, mainly because it’s so relevant today, when a lot of us, especially young people, are determined to make what seems impossible possible: Rebalancing the way we treat nature and our climate, and making our world fair and equitable for everyone, not just those who enjoy wealth and privilege.
In June 1948, Carlos Prío Socarrás was elected president of Cuba. He was a moderately progressive man — not a socialist by any stretch of the imagination, but he did introduce positive, but limited, reforms that benefitted most Cubans. Members of the extreme right-wing military, however, were apoplectic over his election.
The anger and rage continued until a Cuban general by the name of Fulgencio Batista — who himself had once been president back in the 1940s — led a violent coup right before the Cuban election in March 1952. Batista, who was also a presidential candidate that election, but in last spot, overthrew the outgoing President Socarrás. He also cancelled the upcoming election and took control of the government as “Provisional President.”
Batista was a brute of a dictator and a huge friend of organised crime. Right after the coup, he started a campaign of terror. In the middle of the night, he’d send his police officers to raid the homes of student organisers, tenant organisers, labour organisers — anyone Batista disapproved of. These people were taken from their homes, disembowelled and left to die on the sidewalk. The message was clear.
Still, a very young, some would say, naive lawyer sought a court order to have Batista removed. He was literally laughed out of court, the judge summarily dismissing his application. That lawyer was just 25 years old. His name was Fidel Castro, and I think you well know what a remarkable thing he and his supporters achieved. Ultimately, they got rid of Batista and his brutal regime, and turned Cuba into a model of progressive reform that has constantly put people and their needs before profits.
It all started on July 26, 1953, when the then 27-year-old Fidel carried out an audacious plan. He led fewer than 200 poorly armed revolutionaries in an attack on Cuba’s second largest military base, Moncada.
The attack failed. But it was the start of the revolutionary July 26 Movement, so named for the date of the Moncada uprising and for the 26 men — including Fidel — who were imprisoned as a result.
Fidel, along with his brother, Raúl, and a young doctor from Argentina whose name you’ll also recognize — Ernesto “Che” Guevara— went on to make the impossible possible.
After years of effort, and with the support of thousands of Cuban men and women, they eventually forced Batista out of Cuba on New Year’s Eve, 1958.
Once he was gone, Fidel and Che, along their supporters, set about implementing a large number of far-reaching reforms and setting up a socialist state to improve Cubans’ standard of living.
The U.S. response was swift. It quickly enforced a brutal trade embargo, which over the decades has only been continually tightened. But in spite of this and all the other challenges they’ve faced, Cubans have accomplished a number of breathtaking achievements.
So if ever you feel discouraged about bringing about change — much-needed change people all over the world are fighting for today in the face of the climate crisis, the pandemic, and systemic racism — just remember July 26 and look to these amazing Cuban achievements that are worth celebrating anytime:
- Low infant mortality
At 4.40 deaths per 1,000 live births, Cuba has lowered its infant mortality rate such that it’s far lower than every other developing country in the world. According to the CIA’s own World Factbook, it’s far lower than America’s (5.80 deaths per 1,000 live births) and slightly lower than Canada’s (4.50 deaths per 1,000 live births). Monaco’s is best, at 1.80 deaths, followed by Japan. Sadly, Afghanistan is the worst for infant mortality, at just over 110 deaths per 1,000 live births.
- High life expectancy
Cuba’s remarkable health care system — which provides free medical treatment for all Cubans and is the envy of the developing world — has enabled it to extend life expectancy to 78.8 years (according to the World Bank). This is considerably higher than that for the world (72.6 years) and slightly higher than the U.S.’s, at 78.5 years. By comparison, Canada has a life expectancy of 82 years.
- Providing volunteer doctors around the world
In 2005, to help out U.S. victims of Hurricane Katrina, Castro created the Henry Reeve International Medical Brigade (HRIMB). Unfortunately for New Orleaneans the US never accepted this generous offer of support, but HRIMB’s purpose is still to send thousands of volunteer doctors to countries around the world to help out where the need is greatest.
In Pakistan, HRIMB treated more than 600,000 victims in the aftermath of the devastating 2005 earthquake. Members of this voluntary medical brigade went up into remote areas of Pakistan’s mountains and assisted people who had never before seen a doctor in their entire lives. Patients were so grateful they began naming their newborn babies after the Cuban doctors!
Another remarkable example: In 2015, the brigade was instrumental in helping contain the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The Cuban doctors, at great risk to their own safety, treated thousands of patients with Ebola, their efforts earning them a nomination for that year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
Again this year, Pastors for Peace, Code Pink and others have nominated Cuba’s volunteer-doctor program for the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts in 23 countries treating thousands of COVID-19 patients. In total, it’s estimated the Henry Reeve International Medical Brigade has helped more than 3.5 million patients around the world over the years. Fingers crossed they receive this honour this time. (To support the nomination, contact the Nobel Committee here.)
- Free medical education for students from poor communities
In 1999, Cuba started a medical school for foreign students from the poorest communities around the world. Known as Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina (ELAM), the school is aimed at returning its grads to practise medicine in those poor areas of their home countries. Tuition, accommodation and board are free, and a small stipend is provided as well.
ELAM has been described as possibly the largest medical school in the world, by enrolment. Preference goes to applicants who are financially needy and/or people of colour who show the most commitment to working in their poor communities. Even students from the U.S. are accepted. The school and its grads are recognized by the Medical Board of California and the World Health Organization, plus a sister school has been opened in Venezuela as well.
- Free treatment for people going blind
In 2004, Cuba and Venezuela jointly started a program to provide free medical treatment for people with eye problems. It now runs dozens of eye clinics in 13 Latin American and Caribbean countries. Called Operación Milagro (Operation Miracle), it’s estimated to have restored the vision, at no cost, of nearly 50,000 patients around the world, including the Bolivian officer who executed Che Guevera — Mario Terán.
Daily atmospheric CO2 [Courtesy of CO2.Earth]
Latest daily total (Jul. 30, 2020): 413.93 ppm
One year ago (Jul. 30, 2019): 410.10 ppm
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