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The EFF marks the anniversary of the passing of Comandate Fidel Castro who died at 90 on 25 November 2016. We join the world in remembering a towering socialist figure who represented an alternative world to capitalism and imperialism.

The EFF has drawn inspiration from Comandate Fidel Castro and his generation since formation in 2013. This is why the EFF was formed on 26 July 2013, which was the anniversary of the July 26 Movement that was led by Fidel Castro to liberate Cuba from the kleptocratic government of Batista.

Only at the age of 27, Comandate Castro led this movement from its first military activities in 1953 up to its revolutionary victory in 1959. We draw inspiration that revolution and militant struggle often requires the youth in its forefront as it manifested in Cuba itself.

Commandate Castro once said, "a man should not live beyond the age when he begins to deteriorate when the flame that lighted the brightest moment of his life has weakened." Despite living until the age of 90, the same flame that shone brightly against imperialism in his youth was still burning in his old age.

His rejection and resistance of USA imperialism were demonstrated even during the visit by President Obama who sought to end the criminal economic embargo on Cuba that took over half a century. Comandate Castro even in retirement, still cautioned the Cuban people never to accept the proposition that they need America to survive.

Our own liberation from apartheid is unthinkable without the contribution of the Comandate Castro. It is the Cuban role in the Angolan Civil War, in particular at the battle of Cuito Cuanavale that humbled the arrogant apartheid armies, leading to opening negotiations with the liberation movement.

It is not a secret that here, the South African Apartheid troops suffered the worst losses in what is the second largest battle in the history of Africa after the Battle of El Alamein, and the largest in sub-Saharan Africa since World War II. Following this war, apartheid South Africa knew that it is not indispensable and thus must accept an Africa led by Africans.

There is yet to be a country and people like Cubans in the world. Their generosity is unparalleled. The Cuban Medical Internationalism is known to contribute more medical personnel to the developing world than the G8 countries combined. Not only does Cuba send doctors to the world, it also brings thousands of foreign nationals to its universities for medical training.

No country has contributed selflessly to the liberation of other peoples like Cuba and it is due to the teachings of Fidel Castro who build internationalists out of all Cubans.

The world today is undergoing a period of poverty of socialist leadership to chart a better future and world to capitalism. He has therefore left a big void in a time when capitalism is facing a crisis itself.

In his memory, the EFF will pursue the mission of economic freedom in our lifetime with the same spirit represented by Comandate Fidel Castro. We will conduct our struggle selflessly, with the same internationalism that he taught and represented; for the liberation of all oppressed peoples of the world.

Hasta la victoria siempre! Long Live the undying spirit of Comandate Fidel Castro Long Live!

Issued by EFF