Cuban Civil Defense
celebrates 50th anniversary
Raquel Marrero Yanes
PRESIDENT Raúl Castro sent a message to the Civil
Defense General Staff, on the occasion of its 50th
anniversary.
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Ramón Espinosa Martín, awarded Ramón Pardo Guerra
an honorary certificate signed by President Raúl
Castro. Photo: Oriol de la Cruz/AIN |
The message delivered by General Ramón Espinosa
Martín, Hero of the Republic and Deputy Minister of
the Revolutionary Armed Forces, praised the work of
the institution charged with protecting the
population and economic resources in adverse
circumstances.
Head of the Civil Defense National General Staff,
Ramón Pardo Guerra, recalled that what is today
known as the Cuban Civil Defense System was
established on July 31, 1962, as a historic
necessity. He said that since then, measures have
been taken and a system developed which has
strengthened the country’s ability to respond in the
event of a disaster and mitigate effects.
General Pardo emphasized Cuba’s willingness to
modestly share its experience with other peoples and
reaffirmed that the Civil Defense System will
continue to maintain its strength, energy and
preventative focus.
The celebration featured a moving moment with the
unveiling of a monument honoring Cuba’s Civil
Defense, created by sculptor Andrés González
González, which contrasts the devastating power of
nature with human solidarity.
Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler, Havana City Historian,
said that the work shows as a burning flame earth,
water, wind, fire and innumerable outstretched hands
of anonymous heroes found among a people capable of
confronting sacrifice and triumphing.
During the political cultural event - held in the
institution’s headquarters in Havana and attended by
leaders from the Revolutionary Armed Forces, the
Ministry of the Interior and the Party - the
monument’s creator was awarded the Combatant of
Production and Defense Medal, conferred by the
Council of State.
Oscar Luis González and Miguel Luis Montero, who
worked with the artist, were also recognized, as
well as a group of founding members and outstanding
workers of the Civil Defense System.
