Agartala, 21st August 2026 : Cuban Ambassador to India Juan Carlos Marsán Aguilera said the unity of the Cuban people has been the key strength behind the survival of the country’s socialist revolution despite decades of pressure from the United States.
Addressing a solidarity meeting at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala to mark the birth centenary of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, Aguilera spoke about Castro’s political legacy, Cuba’s present economic challenges, US sanctions and India-Cuba relations.
The Ambassador said successive US administrations had sought to weaken the Cuban Revolution, but the political awareness and unity of the Cuban people had prevented such efforts from succeeding. He said the Communist Party of Cuba maintains regular contact with the people and works to understand and represent their interests.
Aguilera described Cuba’s present situation as extremely difficult, particularly due to the US embargo and restrictions affecting the country’s financial and economic activities. He alleged that the designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism had further complicated its access to international banking and financial systems.
Highlighting the energy crisis, he said difficulties in securing fuel had resulted in prolonged power cuts, affecting hospitals, agriculture, water supplies, transportation, communications and education. He claimed that sanctions were affecting ordinary Cubans, including elderly people, children and other vulnerable sections.
Despite the challenges, Aguilera said Cuba was working to restructure its economy by expanding renewable energy, increasing food production and reviving tourism. He said renewable sources currently account for around 20 per cent of the country’s energy production, with a target of 30 per cent by 2030.
The Ambassador also praised India’s longstanding support for Cuba, recalling that India provided wheat and rice during Cuba’s difficult economic period in the 1990s. He noted that historical ties between the two countries were strengthened through visits by Che Guevara and Fidel Castro.
Aguilera said Cuba would continue to defend its independence and socialist system and called for greater international solidarity against unilateral sanctions. He expressed confidence that the Cuban people would remain united in preserving Fidel Castro’s legacy of socialism, independence and social justice.
