José Martí wrote in an article published in La Nación, a Buenos Aires newspaper on September 9 1888: “Men who prevail are those who incarnate in themselves an idea that fights, or an aspiration destined to triumph -those who pass through the world voicing and doing at extraordinary speed- like stars.”

A great admirer of  José Martí, and a continuator of his work,  Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz lived a long and fruitful life, based on principle and inspired on the example of those who initiated and carried out the struggle for Cuban independence in the 19th century,

Precisely in his speech at the trial for organizing and participating in the attack to the Moncada garrison in Santiago de Cuba, Fidel asserted: “I bring in my heart the doctrines of the Master.”

As per with Jose Marti’s teachings, Fidel lead the Cuban people for various decades and contributed to the development and defense of the Revolution, as well as supporting the causes of other peoples and the world’s.

As main leader of the Revolution, as Prime Minister and then President of the Councils of State and of Ministers and as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Fidel acted in full correspondence with what he proclaimed.

In Havana, Cuba’s capital, Fidel developed a large part of his life as the Revolution’s leader.

He spoke at various popular rallies and gatherings, in people’s general assemblies, in the opening or closing of national and international events, in Party congresses and in the sessions of the National Assembly of the People’s Power, in parades for the International Workers’ Day, at military and sports parades, graduations and at the anniversaries of the triumph of the Revolution, ton ame but a few as examples.

In July 2016, due to a failing health, he delegated his responsibilities on Army General Raúl Castro, Fidel continued over the years contributing as soldier of the ideas, as he called himself. In that sense, he continued offering his experiences, and especially with his Reflexions, newspaper articles and books.

It is essential to point out what he said during his last speech on April 19th, 2016 at the closing of the seventh congress of Cuba’s Communist Party, held in the Conventions Palace of Havana. 

Speaking about the continuous development of the Cuban Revolution he affirmed: 

“We will start the march and we will perfect what we should perfect, with clear loyalty and united force, like Martí, Maceo and Gómez, in unstoppable match.” 

Months later, on November 25, 2016, Fidel disappeared physically but his fruitful existence, the transcendence of his legacy, his principles, are a source of inspiration and teaching not only for the Cuban people but also for many women and children of the world.

When speaking about his life and the validity of his legacy, Army General Raul Castro, his dear brother and inseparable comrade in the struggle and in the Revolution’s development, said at the closing of the Eighth Ordinary Period of Sessions of the National Assembly of the People’s Power, VIII Legislature, at Havana’s Convention’s Palace, on December 27th, 2016:

"Fidel left undefeated but his spirit of struggle will remain in the consciousness of all Cuban revolutionaries today, tomorrow and forever. 

Víctor Pérez-Galdós Ortíz