Statement by the Administrative Committee of the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) on the death of Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz.

We join with the people of Cuba and peace- and justice-loving people everywhere in mourning the death of Comandante Fidel Castro. Fidel fought all his life to better the circumstances of working people and the poor in Cuba and throughout the world. The Cuban Revolution that he led was an inspiration for millions.

Last November UNAC members, along with other activists from more than 40 countries, attended a conference in Guantanamo City, Cuba, called the Fourth International Seminar for Peace and the Abolition of Foreign Military Bases. Cuba has no foreign military bases. The United States, which has invaded, blockaded and vilified Cuba, has around 20 times the number of foreign military bases as all other countries in the world combined, including the base and prison it holds illegally on Cuban territory at Guantanamo Bay.

During our visit to Cuba, we visited the farm on which Fidel was raised. In his youth, it was very large and prosperous. After the Revolution, Fidel gave that land back to the country for the good of all the people. Can you imagine a U.S. president of either major party doing the same?

Fidel was an internationalist, opposing all the many U.S.-sponsored wars that occurred during his lifetime. Under his leadership, Cuba, a country of just 11 million people with very modest resources, sent thousands of doctors and teachers to serve people in other lands. And, as in the case of Africa, it sent soldiers to support colonized and formerly colonized countries from foreign invasion.

Fidel was a friend of the Palestinian people and their struggle for self-determination and of Nelson Mandela and all those who fought against South African apartheid. He was a steadfast ally of all oppressed people around the world, including those in the U.S.

The world has lost a great leader, but we have not lost the lessons of the great Cuban Revolution that he led. We join with the people of Cuba in saying, “Todos somos Fidel!”

Viva Fidel!

Hasta la Victoria siempre!