THI: I,O.SITION OF TllE; ('UBAN ANIAItCHISTS: tiE[,l:CTl-:D DOt UMENTS;
1960-1974]
The.se firJCt/Htent.$ spa/?t7itig the C f7Ut se O] thf' ('t/bfit7
Rel'O/tniOt7 cle'770//.5ttute t/7e con.sislent approach OJ tile Ct/17Ut7
anarchists 1owar the p/rJhlen'.s oJ the ('ubut7 Re~oltnion a.s
.s'./t77/ttfiri~.erl in Ihe ~5'taten7ent ~/ Prhttip/e.s tfirst docu'77et1t)
und in tize conti'/rIing stalen7et71, "Cuha. I?evabtti'~/' u/''l
Counter-Rel~o/''tio'7. " .111 thf' selecled docu/?7ent.s emp/7usi~,e
COn.5t/tlC'/il'e proposal.s und pruclical liberturiat7 a/ternatives tRJ dic
tutot s/7i/7 f5t/itingly sin7ilat to the rec 0~7tulel7flutions of the note
agronfJmIst unfl ecot70/ili.st Rene D7/n70t7t and fJ'her qualified critics.
(.see int/ oat/c tifJn). /'or the anarc hi.sts (and with thent a growing
nt/t77her o/ co/7Cernef/ people) .socia/ist production¬sociali.st77
itself¬cant701 a.s the Slulement rJl Principles insists. . . "he 1,iewed as
a simple lechnif al proces.s. . . the dec isi~'e fac lor is rhe h7tt77an
factor. . . " the senlitttenis, inleresis, anft Ihe u.s/7iralions of teen,
women, and children, consiftered not as tnere c iphers, but as INDI ~IDUAL
HUMAN BEINGS. 1S.D.
Declaration Of Principles of the Libertarian Syndicalist Group of Cuba
(Havana, 1 960)
(1) Against the State in All its Forms
WE ttle l.it~ertarian Syndicalist Group, consider that in this period of
revolutionar) reconstruction by the peopic of Cuba, it is our
135
inescapahlc cut! ro al firm our position in relation to the pressing
prohlems of the ( ullan Revolution. We oppose not only specific acts or
policies of [hc >;talc, hut the very c~istencc ot the Statc itself and its
right to exercise supreme and uncontested supremacy over every aspect of
social litc. We must thcreforc resist any policy that tends to increase the
growing po\\er of the State, the exicnsion of its functions and its
totalitarian tendencies.
WE, ( uban Libertarian militants, as well as our comrades in other
Countries, believe that it is impossible to make a Social Revolution without
elitninatitlg the State. The social functions usurped by the State must be
returned to and exercised by the grass-roots organizations of the people
themselves such as labor unions, free municipalities, agricultural and
industrial cooperatives, and collectives and voluntary federations of all
kinds; all of them must be free to function without authoritarian
interference.
Politically naive worshippers of the State believe that human society was
created by the State. In reality, the State owes its origin to the rise of
privileged classes and the consequent degeneration of society. In spite of
all its admirers both right and left may say, the State is not only the
parasitic excrescence of class society, but is also itself a generator of
political and economic privilege and the creator of new privileged classes.
The revolutionary transformation of bourgeois into socialist society also
demands the abolition of the State.
(2) The Unions as the Economic Organ of the Revolution
WE, Revolutionary Syndicalists maintain that the labor movement is the
truest expression of the interests and the aspirations of the working class.
It is therefore the historic task of the unions to effect the economic
revolution by substituting the "government over men by the administration of
things." The labor unions and the federations of industry, properly and
rationally restructured, contain within themselves the human and technical
elements needed for the most complete collective development and
self-management of industry.
As against the "revolutionary" and reactionary politicians who strive only
to capture power, the decisive role of the unions in this period of
revolutionary organization is to become the living organisms for the
direction and coordination of the economy. The subordination of the unions
to thc political power of the State, especially in this revolutionary
period, constitutes a betrayal of the working class; a vile maneuver to
assure labor's defeat, in this historic moment when it should be fulfilling
its most vital socialist task; the adminstration of production and
distribution in the interests of the whole of society. ..
136
(1) 11lc 1 alltl to 1'hosc Who Worl~ It
Wl . I II. Ill. ll and women of the L.illertarian Syl1dicalist (,roup, now,
more Illall e\er hcLorc, stancl hy our revolutionary watchword: "The Lantl 1
il I hose Who Worl~ It." We believe that the classic cry of the peasants of
all countries, "I AND AND LIBERTY," is the truest e.xpression ot the
imtlledi;ttc aspirations of the Cuban guajiros (peasants): their own land to
till and the freedom to organize thcmsclves ancl to aclministcr agricultural
production.
This may be done through family cultivation in some cases, or by organizing
producers' cooperatives in other cases; but ABOVE ALL [wherever possible]
through the organization of COLLECTIVE I AR\IS. The form of cultivation must
always be decided by the peasants themselves, never imposed by the State.
While the representatives of the State may, in some cases, be technically
capable men, they are in most cases, ignorant of and insensitive to the true
sentiments, interests and aspirations of those who till the soil.
Throupt1 loItg experience and participation in the revolutionary struggles
of the peasantry, we are convinced that the planniItg of agricultural
production, cannot be viewed solely as a mere technical process. Althougt1
it is true that the condition of the land and machinery of cultivation are
very important, the decisive factor is for ItS, the human factor: the
peasants themselves. We therefore declare that we favor the organization of
collective and cooperative work on a voluntary basis¬extending to the
peasant the necessary technical and cultural tools¬no doubt the best
means¬of convincing him of the greater advantages to him of collective
cultivation as distinct from and superior to individual or family
cultivation.
To act otherwise, to use coercion and force, would be to lay the basis for
the complete failure of the agrarian revolution¬and consequently, THE REVOI
U~ ION ITSEI F.
(4) The School Should Instruct; the Family Should Rear the Young
WE, militants of Revolutionary Syndicalism, maintain that culture must not
be the exclusive property of anyone in particular, but of the whole of
humanity. Culture is a right¬not a privilege.
All persons regardless of class, race, religion or sex, must have complete
access to the fountains of knowledge without limitations or restrictions of
any kind. Education should not be monopolized by th
State or any privileged group. Education at all levels must be free to all
(primary and secondary schools, technical and scientific schools and the
universities). The moral and political education of their children should be
considered the inalienable right of the parents, with 110 ecclesiastical.
nolitical or statist interference. In the final analysis. the family
137
ix titL' l';;SIL Utlit tll ~~,Lit't\ ;illtl itS SttiltCIIIC
ICSpC?tlSilliIit\ is Itit tlUM;
.Ultl IlilVNiL\ti llit?tt'~tiOtl t?I itS VOIIIl."C~I IIICIlil?CIS I 1lis
It'sl?OtlNit~iIit\ inipliC~ tigilt~ that nittSt not hc taiell a\\;t\: that
tit thc lotmUtitin ol C li;il.i~ ICI, titlCt itlL't?lOgictII
t?tietit'Itit?ll ol ttCW gCilel;ltiOiiS \\ itllill tilC
l'.nliil\. the llt?lite itSL'If.
(~) I'he Strttggle Ag.tiil~t NatiOtlaliStil, NlilitariStil atitl
ililpCtialiSIll
Wl are opposctl to all wars. I'hc instrunients ot'death pro(iticed ill sttch
l'rigiltetling qualitities by the great powet-s must 11(?\\ be converted
UltO instrtinielits t'ot thc abolition ot' hunger and the needs of'
hul~-(?vcl-isiled peoples: to bring happilless and well-being to all
mallkirld.
A~ revoltitiottary wol-liers we are fervent partisans of i'ratel-t?al
ulltlet-st.tndiltg bctweeti all peoples irrespective of all national
1lotlllLi;irics, or linguistic. racial, political and religious harriers...
WE: at-e unaltel-ably opposed to the military training of the young, the
.reatiol1 of professional armies. I or us, nationalism and militarism are
svnollylilotts with t'ascism. Less arms and mote prows! Less soldiers and
more teachers! Less Citnllt)ilS and more bread for all!
We, L ibertarian Syndicalists arc against all forms of imperialisrrt and
colonialism; against the economic domination of' peoples, so prcvalel?t in
the Amcricas; agahist military pressure to impose upon peoples political and
ccorlotltic systcitis f'oreign to their national cultures, cu.stortis and
social systems¬a~ is the case in parts of Europe, Asia and A i r tca.
We belic\c that illllOtlg the nations of the world, the small are as
Wol-ttly as the big. .lust as \\e rerTlain enemies of national states
because each of them ttolds its own people in subjection; so also are we
opposed to the super-states that utilize their political, economic and
military power to hill?ose theit- rapacious systems of exploitation on
weaker coulitrics. As against all forills of imperialism, we declare for
revohitionary internatic?lialism; for thc creation of great confederations
ol free peoples f'or thL'ii illUttial interests; for solidarity and mutual
aid. We believe itl an acti\e militant pacifism that rejects the dialectic
of just wars" ant3 "tttl just wars," a pacilisn1 titat demands an end to the
aritis race and rejection of nuclear and all other armaments.
(6) 'Fo But-eaucratic C'entralism We C'ounterpose i~cderalisrri
WE are inherently opposed to all centralist tendencies; political social,
ancl economic. We believe that the organizatior1 of society sholild prc?cced
from thc simpic to the complex; from the bottom upwards. It should begin in
the basic organisms: the municipalities, the labor unions, the peasants'
organizatiotts, etc. coordinated into great
138
{UIIIt~ttitl ;ilitl ititCIIUltiOIUtl Ol",tili/;ltUlil~ l';tsCtl 011
Illlltll;ll jlLtCt~ bL t \\ c~ tl Lt| ll;il' I IIC'C slItillIti i,C sct ull
~ I t C 1\ 1 Ol CtililItitill 1~111 |l(lscs
\\itllt)Itt itl jnl\ tt~ all\ t,I Ihc c~Ultl;lctillg 1l;titics, c;lcil tlt
\\in~lll ntllst dl\\a\' tCt.lin thc tighNO \\ithCll;t\\ tl(llil the
;IglCClllCnt sht?tiltl it at alty time be t'elt til.tt ~tich .ICtit?tl
\\oUI(l be~t sel-\e its intclests
It is Otil ulidel~-t.ttitling that these ~ocial orgatlizatic?lis, the great
natiotntl and intern;tti(?t'.tl cont'eticnttiolis ol' unions, peasants'
a~soLi;ttiolis cultttt-;tl ''tOttllS anL't IllUtliCil~;lIitiCS, will carry
the lOptUSelltatiOI1 t?t all \\ithOtit ptlSSCSSilig any greatetpowers that
those "lalltCLi thein 't y the COltipOllCllt t'ederatecl UltitS at the base.
I lle lit?ert\ tif peoliles can only t~ind ;idequate expression throtigh a
fedcl-alist type of Otgalli~atiOtl, \\hich ~ ill set the necessary limits to
the freL(Iom of eact1 while guat-aliteeing the freedom of all. Expeliencc
deniolistratcs that political ancl economic centralizatiot1 leads to the
cleatioi1 of IllOIIStlOllS totalitariar1 states; to aggression and war
bet\\ecil l~;ltiinl.S: to the exploitation and misery of the great masses of
Ihe people.
(7) Without Individual Freedom There Can Be No Collective Freedotn
WE, Libertarian Syndicalists are firm supporters of individual rights. There
can be no treedonl for the COIlllllUIlity as a whole if any of its members
are deprived ot their freedom. There can be no freedom for the collectivity
where the hidividual is the victim of oppression. All human rig}lts must be
guaranteed. These include freedom of expression, the right to work, to lead
a decent life. Without these guarantees there can be no civilized basis for
human beings to live together in society. We believe in liberty and justice
for all persons, even for those holding reactionary views.
(8) The Revolution Belongs To Us All
The Libertarian Syndicalist Group reiterates its will to support the
struggle t'or complete liberation of our people. Affirming that the
Revolution is not the exclusive property of any individual or grouping, but
belongs to all the people.
Just as we have always done, we will continue to support all revolutionary
measures that tend to remedy the old social ills. At the same time we shall,
as always, continue our struggle against authoritarian tendencies within the
Revolution itself.
We have fought against the barbarism and corruption of the past. We now
oppose all deviations that attempt to undermine our Revolutioll by forcing
it into authoritarian channels. . . which are destructive of human dignity.
We oppose all the reactionary groups that battle desperately to reconquer
their abolished privileges and we
139
.llNo ollllo~c ttlc 1lcW 1lscuLi(?-lcvoltltiotl.tl-y olllll-cssi\c,
cxploitillg glotlps tluat in ('tilla Call be alledLiV diSCelneLi Oll the
revohltit~llal-' 1l(ll i/OII
\\c ale tOI jtlStiCC, socialism an(l tlee(loltl; t'or the well-being ot all
IIIL'I~ l-egar~tless of' origill, religion Ol race. Worhers! Pcasants!
-;ttidellts! Mel1 and Women ot Cuba' lo these revolutionary concepts \\e s\
ill relllaill i'aithful to the end. I;or these principles we are willing to
St.itL our personal t'recdolll and it necessary our lives.
Libertarian Syndicalist Croups La Habana, 1960
1\1iscellaIleous L)eclaratiotts 1961-1975
Statement of Cuban Libertarian Movement Addressed to its Sister
Organiz.ations of All Countries, August, 1961
. . . The Cuhan Libertarian Movement wishes to point out that whenever thc
Cuban people suffered the consequences of dictatorship, Ottl movement joined
herds with those who sincerely struggled against such dictators/lips. In the
various times that this has happened, it has cost our movement precious
lives.
Long before the present revolutionary organizations did so, the Cuball L
ibertarian Movement fought by all nteans at its disposal, against all
imperialism, especially against North American imperialism, since this was
the one that most directly affected our personal liberties and our economic
development. Thus, our movement cannot be accused at any time or for any
reason of being indifferent to the sufferings of our people or tolerant
towards any imperialism, either democratic or totalitarian. The Cuban
Libertarian Movement feels that in each case it has taken the position that
it should have taken as a revolLttionary organization...
. . . Cuba is controlled by a super-statist regime based upon the most rigid
Marxist school. Its planning, structure and development follow the historic
pattern of similar countries, and if there is some difference hetween them,
it is only a difference of degree.
In consequence, the Libertarian Movement of Cuba does not see in the Cuban
Revolution any of the principles that can identify it with the fundamental
concepts of our ideology. On the contrary, it would appear that just as in
the other Marxist-Socialist countries all libertarian thought will be
suppressed, man will completely lose his personality, his dignity and hits
rights in order to be a mere cog in the macllillery of the State¬a process
already underway. We know that Capitalist, clerical and imperialist
interests are allying themselves against the Cuban Revolution. But it is
also true that great numbers of
140
L
\~~,I;CTS, l~cit~ants, intellectt~als anti plotessiottal people nl;tilltaill
a
jl TIL OllllositiLlll to ttle tot;'lit;u iLlil l-CI'ilile.
I lle ('t~halt l ibert.tl-iall \loxemellt has at tlO thlle made COlnltlOII
au~c \\ith the represelttatives of' reactiol1 aIld will not do so in the
tutttre. Nol- will we accept thc seli'ish intervention of any imperialist
;ouiltrv ill the Cllban problem. But the peoples of' the Latin American
colltinetlt have every l- ight to intervene. I hey have a moral obligation
to det'elld the nlillilllun1 rights that have been won at so great a cost,
when these rights are usul-ped anywhere in Latin America [or anywhere else].
In view of all that we have said, the Cuban Libertarian Movement will
maintain its ideological postulates under all circumstances and will
struggle to the end for the freedom of the Cuban people and for the Social
Revolution...
The National Executive (Names have been omitted or changed to prevent of
ficial reprisals.)
Message of the Libertarian Movement of Cuba in Exile To Ttle Eifth Congress
of the Libertarian Federation of Argentina (Buenos Aires, December, 1961)
The many letters we have received from individuals and from groups indicate
that the international libertarian movement is not only deeply disturbed
about the present situation in Cuba, but equally concerned about our general
attitude with respect to Cuba's problems and what the ncw situation would
be, should the Castro dictatorship collapse or be overthrown.
We will support tile revolutionary movement of the masses to solve the great
problems of the country and abolish all special privileges and injustices.
We will resolutely oppose all reactionary elements who today fight
Castro-Communism, only because they yearn to recapture their political power
and bring back the old order with all its greed and corruption. We fight
against the Castro dictatorship because it signifies the strangulation of
the Rcvolution, submitting our people to the exploitation and oppression of
the new exploiting class, just as evil as its predecessor. We fight the new
tyranny that placed our country at the service of Soviet-Chinese
imperialism.
We must do our utmost to help the Cuban people recapture their freedom of
action, by achieving the revolutionary transformation of their country in
accordance with their own special interests, and in solidarity with their
natural allies, the people of Latin America, who are fighting against their
own feudal and capitalist regimes. We want a new Cuba, that will reorganize
its social life with the most ample economic justice and most complete
political freedom; because wc are, above all, socialists and libertarians.
141
I IIC COI1tCII1 ot' thc illtL'ln.lti/lII.II liLcl-t,lri.lil IlIO\t'lllL'III
witil milugglc ag.lill~t ('astio ( 0111111till;SI11 ~hOUIt3 ;11 n(} WaY
bellet'il llt~l ini\c aliv conilecthul \\ith tile Silli~lel IOICCS
ot'le;letioll is also kOill Ct?l1CCI11. Witl; .11l tilc~olelililit\ Ill.ll
ttlt ~IitiC;II Sittl;ltiOII w;lil;tiltS, \\itil all thc cmpil;lsis at OU'
comiliall~l, wc, the Cull;lil lihertarialu;, a~sule t?lll COllll';l(tL'S O!
the 1 il~clt;lli;lll I CLICI;ItIOT1 Ot /\rgentitia that we will 11eVel
111Ot;C I?L?I II jCLII (le;IlS witil ;Illti ( .Istroites to h;lllcl ;IW(I!
Otil intiepcildence as a mt1\elilelit in its t'ight tor trecdom; nol will we
sElt?ordil?ate the treecloll1 ot thc Cllball people Lo the interests ot
Russian or American illlpeli;tliSln 01 all\ other toreigr1 power.
We pledge OUI solid;n it\' Wit h ali S;nCCIC underground re\ olutioll;lries
strugglilig against tile Castro tyralil?y. We are prepared to tight with all
lovers ot't'reedom t'or COilllllOII ainIS WjthOtIt SaCI jfjCjNg OLll
Ijbel-tal jaI1 principles nor our identity as a distinct revolutionary
orgatlizatioll.
In order to counter-balance the cnorillL?us political-economic power of the
reaction which fights Castroism only because it aims to replace the Cuball
dictatorsilip w~th thc l~illLt ot' totalitarian regime which after a quarter
of a certtury is still oppressing thc Spanish people, it will be necessary
to forge an equally formidable alliance.
We do not believe that we alone, with our weak forces, can possibly
overthrow Castro's "revoltitionary government," fonnidably rcinforccd by the
techilical, economic, political, and military might ot the "socialist"
countries. Furthermore, thc Castro government has huilt up so IllOllSt10US
an apparatus that it cannot be dislodged by the Cuball peopic alone. We
consider that the best (though by no means the only) allies ot the Cuban
pcopic in their struggle l or justice and freedom, are the other Latin
American peoples \' ho are also fighting to emancipate themselves¬under
different circtlmstances¬but with the same spirit and the same ideals.
To this revolutionary task wc decticate our best efforts and we urge the
libertarian movemelits in other lands to take the initiative in uniting all
liLcrtarian forces on thc basis of'a general program acceptable to all.
BOLETfN de Informacion Libertaria¬C,cneral Delegation l.ibertarian Movement
of Cuba¬in Exile (Caracas Venezuela, July 1962)
The necessities of' the wal- against the totalitarian regime in ('uba which
nas organized a politic;ll police apparatus along Soviet lines, impedes the
creatiorl Of large colicelit rations operating openly. It makes necessary
the creation ot small, IOOSCIY corlllected, secret resistalicc groups
carrying on a guerilla war Ot attrition, to wear down, exhaust and t'inally
force tne L-ollapsc ol' thc dictatorship... 1-he people will make the
hangmen ot' thc revroltniol1 pay for the atrocities they ila\L' committed
and give thcln a tT(!SL ot [hCj; OWn medicine.
142
\\ C ;11 ~ ~ (111\ 111. ~ (1 1 jl~ll 1 11L 1 jIIC O1 1~11.1 j I ~ ~
,~lllll~'ll.ll \ .IL tl',ll I . I ilt VIII\ ~ 14\IIIL ~\ 1' IL11 1II~ (
I,~] I,L{\I1IL l~, l~ ~ (~I~~~( 1 1IIL II ;~)NI lItLLI{,I\] .\IILI
li~llll~l.l~~ tl,' ~ .I~l I L, ~ <'lililllilliSt LII~ l;ll~,l .IIll, \\ t
lI{) ll',t 11~ ll< ~ ~ t 1l.ll I IIL ( ul,.lil I UII'LLIN ~ .111 I~c I CSOI\
L(l I'\ 111111l.11 \ .l~t\ t 111 111t S, li~t I IIL ill\ ;l~loll ,~t ~ j~l
1l 1')(,1 \\ L 11Llic\L tilkit ()tilt'l ( lli'.lil llt't) j~lL' lltilSl
IL~.II II
>lil Ilik' Ill''l11~~~1~ ~ll Nt~ligglL' (1t tile 1l i~ll l\( I1IIIIII(-
IIIN, Illc I~~\\isil N(~~'IL~ ol Islilel. tile ( \IlIIIN llkitlit?tN ;IIItt
tilL' I\lpt'I itill ICSiStililLC illOWIIIClltN N\ C IIIII.SI ;1(1;1ll1 1
11L'SL' illCt lIO(IN lo ( Illlillt LOllLlit it?llS.
'(11 11~. 1 1le 111 ill~'illfil I IIIlCtitill (?1 tile C\ilL'~ i'. l~,
[lt~lll Stililitl.Ite tile l-c\oliltiolilil! ;ICtiOII ot lile
olg;UliZ'lti(?llN IIISILIC ( til,~l. \\llicit lel?lcNcilt tilC tigiltilig
\\ill ot tilC llcol~le W j1C?CVCI \\;lNtCS lililt', tlVilig to ClC;ltC
l1;lllUl t~l'';lili/;lli(,llN WllL?'L, ;lilil is to C;ll?tillC 11t?wCI, it
;lllLt wilell tilt~
c ;iNtl (?-( (liltillUlliNt t~iL t;lt(llS t;l11, is guill\ ol tit CLit
.IllC' i.N tielaN'ilig ttle
il CiLltit?ll t?t tilC ~ ull;ll1 llet?lile.
,Ys litelollg n~ilitant Ic\t?l~ltiollaries, \\e l'igllt alW.tNS t't?r the
t'reeci ot'the ('uhal1 pef?l?le to make their own revt?lutit?rl without
beeoinilig VlCI jn]N ot toreigl1 ;tild dt?lileStiC tyratit.s. ()til Illaitl
ta~k is to agree Otl a
pl;u1 ot ulZiteLl ;lL'iC?ll \\ 11ietl will krilig ahout tile CiCStI'UCtiOI1
ot tilC castlo-et?nililullist dictatorship. 'N\'hilC we are prepared to
r'igitt with all sincere l(l~el~ (?t freedom t'or colilnic?rl ol?jeetives,
we NN'ill remail1 an illtiel?eliderit orgallizatit?ll and will not
eollaborate Wit'tl the power hUlilgry p(?liticialls Wtit? are alleady
plottilig to tahe over and are alteadv creating ''(iovernillelits in E.xile"
or ''(io\ernmelits in the uttder
git?UllCi.
Agr:1ri'lIl I,abt?l- \lltl I tle l ;lild
(Ab.barclo Iglesias: /?evo/ulion ani1 Counter-liewolutior~ in C'uba.
BC)/t'ti/7 c/e I/IJr~l /Utl~ iO'/1 Li/)ertariU--()rgUll of the I il~erlu/iun
Mr>v'~n7c'nt cif ( Il/JU it1 Exile, ,HVIialI11' .IUI1C l ~f 6)
I ilC l(ltM C.lilSC tOI' j?(?litiLal ;IllCt social tililCSt ill ~ Ut?;l,
ciCltirig 11ac; to
CCllililiCS (?t jl?ttiliS11 C(llOllittI dt?rRlililltiOI1 iS tilC 1lt?rl-ibly
UlljUlSt diStlillTlli(?l1 ot tile lallcl. A t?Tccic?lilill.ultl~ Itil-;ll
Ct?tilill-y, witl1 its
ecoll(?lilN ;Ilill'?St totClilV cteilelidellt Oll ;ItU icultilEe ;tilLt
;Illililill [lilSi?;Ultil! IlltlNt ol IlecCssity wil?e Otit ;lil vUstig,es
(?t tCtlCt.It I3lt?l?Clty allcl i?l,lCC Ille lLuttl LlilCCtly ititO tilc
hcillCts ot tile ;IgliCUitill;It WOII'CIS.
\\ jI jlC tile iLliltlLCt ;ll isloclilc\ ~tilov,s V;ISt ;IIC;IS ot ICI tilC
lkilltl to relililitl IlilCliltiV;ltCti ;IllLt glCllt IllaSSeS t?t
t)C;IN;IIItN SUttCI tliL' I;l\;lgLN ol clisekisc, Ililill~cl ;UILt
ll(?VClty, tilc ut-hall lloPlililIitIII Cll j~lVS ;l st;liltl;llkl ol ti\
ilU' \;INI iv sililCl i(ll to ;ulYtililig tilowil ill I ;ll ill All1L I
jL;I.
I '>l I ili' IL';IN(lII tilc I illel t.lli;U1 1\I(I\( IIILIII W;IN ;IlY';lvs
jI]lCIISLIY
L(?llkLl lic(l ;vitil llic |lI(,l?lL.lil (,l (,lg~l~ll/lil!' ;' I;Itlit ;It,
tlt( |11\ It)()tL(
gl-icLIlr ll l ;ll ~ L \ <'Ilil iL1ll I ('ll(~~' ilig tilL' t N;~ll ll~lt
',l t lle lii1< l tTll i;lil
Illilt;llil~ \' ll', ill \1L ~ jL(, ll;l(l i'CCII illNl~il<~(t l,\ tllt ~
lli~ 'lt l~lilili;llI'l
143
/;II';lt;l ;' gl-olill',t \ ;lli;lilt ( ull;til Illilit;tilts clettic;ltc(t
tiltitlNLlves t(l tile till;tiltil>;lti(,ll (,t tile l?C;IS;IIlt~.
I l-(lill Ilic tilg;lili';lti~ll~ tit ;1 Ill(,ttllccl-s ct?ttec
Ctl(,l?CI;lti\C ill Nlt?'lte I(U/ o\CI' ;t tlilt' CCIlilII'y ;Igt>, to tile
olpiltliz;ltit?l1 ot tile /)t.n! ~C't1t'rtiti(~~] (J/'('I//'u, III \\
lIiCtl tltl~CllN ot' our Ctlllll;UICS tOUg'tit, the ( tll ;lll I
iLel-tal-ialis callieci till the StlUgglC ;Ig;lillSt the l'iCh latlCIiClrdS,
UlCItlIlg the peasallts to t'ol-cilily seize utlcultivatctt property ancl
work the lancl collecti\ely hy tltgalliZ.illg themselves illtt? voluntary
revoltititiliary collectives or similar cooperative organizatiolis...
\W7ith the tritimpil ot tle Revolution of 1959, the Cubat1 l ibertarians
urgecl the peasalits to seize the land and organize agricultural
cooperatives without waiting for orders from the new Castroite authorities.
This policy was undertaken for two reasons: first, to involve actively the
peasant masses in the construction and achllhlistriltic?rl of' the new
agricultural economy through their own voluntary organizations; and second,
because direct action of the peasants would place economic power in their
own hands, thus pre\enting the "revolutionary state" from converting free
cooperators into slaves of the totalitarian regime. After a great deal of
resistance, the nevv dictators dislodged the peasants from the land by force
and threats.
The Cuban anarchists repeatedly warned against dismissing or underestimating
the vital contributiot1 that the small peasant proprietor who works the land
hitilself with the help of his family and does not employ hired labor can
make to the Revolution (this policy also applies to artisans, small
workshops, cooperatives, and the thousands of specialized services without
which the economy would come to a stancistill. The feasibility of this
policy was amply demonstrated during the Spanish Revolution in the
libertarian type rural collectives and urball socialized industry.) [To
remind the reader, this extremely important point, already discussed in the
article Plows, Tractors and the Guajiro (peasant) is repeated here:]
i' . . . without tllltlCrCStitl~i~tirlt' the importance of huge cooperative
farms to meet the need for agricultural products, it must be stressed tnat
the small peasant proprietors can also contribute greatly to agricultttral
production by organizing themselves into collectives for the intensive
cultivation of the land in common.
.loilit Statement Ot''l'he L illcrtarians Of The Americas (pulilisiled in
the IJ..S. by the Cuban l.ibertarian Movement¬Miami I ')~?~)
It'/'ereus: I.ibertariarl prbicililes are unconclitiorially opposecl to all
tlllllS t?t lltllllall St;lVCly. . .
144
1] //('n'U\. (iCwt'Ll t?ll jeCti\L't\;, [lie stici;tl ;UILt lloliliC;Ii
Ct)UISC tl1 tilC
'0 c;lilt'tl ( Ull;itl Re\t?lUtit?tl WtliCil llitS ictl to tile
cst;'l?llNlilticilt ol ;~ ollnnU'liNt ICgililC il1 ( ul?;t tl;tS CylliC;tlty
I I UStI;ltCtl ttlC .ISIlil;Itil~llS oI
tllc ('tIll.lll 1?CtllllC.
11 /~e/t'~i.~. I hc ('astro-Cclrlltlliltlist regime is at?le to
ttl;tillt;lili its colttol ovel the ( I!ll;ltl llCtlpIC ttl.llikS only to
the ulilitary aticl CCtlliOllliC sUIlilol-t and hackitig ot' Russia whicl1
'has tut-llecl ttle istatitl hltt? one niore satellite of Red Imperialisn1
throtigh a policy ot' Ierror, implistilililetit, and crime ;Illtl hlhibilhlg
the resistance and struggle of' the people of Cuba against tyranily.
[f'IIereus: The so-called Cuban Revolution, at'ter offering lancl to those
WtlO work it has instead taken the latid away from its former owners
including peasants¬given in toto to the State, thereby converting the
peasants into wage-slaves of the State. In the same way, all industrial and
productive centers, transport, distribution, the press and in short all
social, political and economic activity of the country has been taken over,
subjecting the people to the will and authority of the Totalitarian State.
Whereas: All freedom of thought and expression is forbidden in Cuba, no
citizen being permitted the free expression of disagreement with the
political system and the norms established by the government in power; that
all communications media are totally in the hands of the State; that all
publication of books and other literary material is subject to the
supervision and autllorization of the State, and furthermore, that any oral
or written expression of opposition or criticism of the government is a
punishable offence.
Whereas: Over 90°70 of the Cuban people are against the political system
that has been imposed on them by force and violence, it being a fact that
after nine and a half years of Communist domination there are now 100,000
persons in Cuban prisons with the number increasing. Executions and murders
of fighters for freedom are daily occurrences in the prisons and the total
of these is already more than ten thousand. Over half a million persons have
already fled from Cuba, by every means imaginable. These have been of all
social classes, but mostly workers and peasants, and their leaving Cuba is a
clear demonstration of the rejection by a people of the regime that enslaves
them.
Whereas: Thc so-called Cuban Revolution does not in the least represent the
aspirations of the Cuban people which fights and always will fight for its
f'reedom with the fullest respect for human life and safety and for
continual improvement in the search for peace and the social good.
ThereJore Wc, thc organizations signing this Joint Statement of
l.ibertarians of the Americas, declare:
'I hat the C'astro regime is at thc service ot' Russia in its plans for the
tntlllC dOtllillatiOI1 ot' the pcopics ot' the Anlcricas: That the Cuban
145
|~ct,|3lc flit\ ~ t llc Icgit ilUtil C N i'111 1 t, ~ t~lill?;ll ;Illti t)\
t I t iu t)\\ t kc IN(1I j I jL.11 ICt'ililC tit;tt llt,\\ t) jil)ICSSCS
tiltill: t 1l;1t tile l~lc'~cilt .stillLlylt L,l tile ( Ill~;
l~c',l~lc ,~g:~il,St tl~til- ~NI?l?~c'~~~'s ;ll~tt c',.sI;lvc~.s is j~lSt,
;~l~tl silt~llItt tilcl-ctt~l-c, il.tVC IlIC sill~l)Ol't .lllil llell~ ot
;tii iil~cl-t.ll-i;lil t?l'g;Uli/.ltit~lls ;lilt1 intlivitiHai~ t?T1 tllc
Amelican ('oiltillcnt anti ot' the W',rld: llu~t the
l~'l-'ipt~ct! ~?I'g;ll~i/;~tit?llS sl~l~l?t~l t tl~c ~ lil?;ll] peC?I?le itl
ttleil ~trll!~~,le tt? \' il~< r?~~t tile I r~t~llit.~l i;lil (
t?l,~lil~~'list .St.~te tIlat 1low t~l?l~rt.ssc.s '~lid t'll.StaVCS tilenl,
atiti taLc ui?on tl~cmselves the task ot'denc?uncilig het'ore the Woritl by
e\ery mealis.lt their con1malitl, the crimi'1al Sa\agCl'V alid sla\cl-v
sut'ferctl hv thc CUhiln people, as well as L:iVil1g all the collal?t?lation
and support that they can in the struggle agair1st
C'astrt?-C'on1tt1tinisl11, ur1til thc Cuhan people achieve their t'reedotn.
\10VIMIEN'I'() LIBERTARIO C'UBANA EN E-' l EXIL.IC) (I\ILC'E) LIBERTARIAN
LkAC,IlE (llSA) ORGAN[~.ACICiNI S LIBERTARIAS DFL PERU FEr)ERACICiN
AN'ARQlJISTA DEL MEXICO (I',NM) MOVIMIEN'rO LIBERTARIO DEI IlRASIL
FEDERAC'ION LlBERTARIAARGENTINA(FI A)
\1essage from the Cuban Libertarian 1\10vement¬in Exile (.~;liam i. October
l 974)
T() ()UR EXILED COUN'rRYMEN I'() TIIOSE WHO SUFf'ER IN kNSLAVED CUBA I C)
'rHk PEOPl ES OF' LATIN A.\IERICA ro 1 HE PEOPLE OF' TIJE UNI l-EI[) STATES
We will always rernaiT1 t'aithful to the noble icleals which we have
ploclainied and del'ended for SC? mal1v years against all tyrants and
misleaders of thc people, including thc "Marxist-Leninists" ancl the ('astro
C'omrTlunists. In defense of our principles we have always t'ought with
equal determination against the equally bloody right-witig .x~n.set-vative
totabtarians. For this, we have paid a very heavy price in pel-secution and
lives.
U'hile professing to hatc tyrantly, the Pope, in the name of Jesus who pl
eacheci again~ violence and slavery, bestows his benediction 011 clict.itot-
Castro. . .I:ascist Spait1 relates well to totalitiarn-cc?mmut1ist ('ul?a. .
. Rus.sia clonalcs arms ancl supplies to its C'uban sateiiite. . . At
thc~an1etirile, tl1c grcal Americall corporaliot1s surreptitiously provide (
.I.stli? with alilpic Ct-CCtiI to purell~lsc autos, buses. arTcI otElcr
cq~~ipmct1t. In vie\' ol the "co-cxistencc" poticy hctwccn thc L!reat So\
iLt totalitarian elril?ilc .ZIld thc An~cl-ical1-Etiropearl clemocracies
14(
',l~tcl~'l~l~' 1~~~ Il~c lr~l~lil,.lti',l~ ~,t ( ''I,.', ',ill l~~~sili'~~~
~''~ ~~~,<: \t,NINSI ll(?lil i ()\\l R l~l ()( N!
Nl lilil R fill ()Nl N()R Ilil ()Ilil R ,NI \\ ,\\ ~ I (M; f Rl I D()Nl! \l
W,\\ Fi l ()R Ill iN1AN Dl(lNI i \\itl10Ut ;t CIC;II, C011VillCil1g
l?It?gl-;till t?' lull lillett\' ~ZItl 111111t;Ul ligilIS ;Hlkl \WII-tlCil1g
It?l' all, tl1L' f~ Uhttl1S ;il?l'O;lL] CtZlillOt Stil tile
ol?l?l-csscci l?col?lc ill ( ul?a to reLcl, alid CVCI1 Icss, ti1e ~?c''l~ies
ot l .Ztill .~\l11el ic;u I ol ~ tile sI! uggie agaillst ( ;lSIIX?islll is
tU?t 0i11V OUI- COIICCI'11.
Ille l atin Aniel-icall masses, loo, are also thieatelled witil rile
imposiliol1 ot a ( astl-o-lype dictatorsl1ip. 1~he plight of the oppressLL3,
dt?Wtllr'OL3ilCH, inlllovetished peasalll,s and \\orkers rellders thell1
receptive to coll1lriut1ist pt-opaganda. Their well-trair1ed, well-paid
a~elits promise thet1l a better lilc. I~he masses are naise, they kno\s
not11il1g about the kind of despotic commurlism that these agents really
want to imilose. I ney fccl that they have nothing to lose, and in despair
they jOil1.
We mtist coulitcract this thl-eat. \\ c must reach the masses with our
constructi\e, practical prograrm and warn theirl about the real character ot
the photty comr11unists. We must tell them:
...you have thc right to live decently. If you are a peasant, you have a
right to the land you cultivate, just as you have the right to sun and air.
If you are a worker, you have the right to the full product of your labor.
Your children arc entitled to a good educatioll and the sick to the finest
medical attention. You are a huinan being. You have the right to leartl. To
think. To act without humiliatilig yourself, without bowing to the will of
an omt1ipotent, omniverous government. BEWARE! Do not follow false leaders
who will enslave you, just as they enslaved your ulifol-tutiate tcilow
workers in Cuba...
[The appeal concludes with a ringing call to]
. . . All the peoples of our America, of all classes, who do not wish to
change one tyranny for another; to the Rebel Youth of this country; to all
who realize the seriousness of the hour to join the crusade for the
liberation of Cuba...
[)eclaration of the Cuban Libertarian Movemet1t in Exile (published in
March, 1975)
It out/ine.s, nrJt the f noxi'77u~n, full anarchist l~lueprint for the f
uture /C'it~tl!, /)Ut a minimum progran' a.s the husis JCJ/ u united frotZt
of all ~enfie/Zcies of the Cu/Jun revo/utionurY moVeme/Zt for the
imn'erliate
147
1tl.~k {)J (~'I]j(~;I/IL' tl''''J~~~rtl'/~J~, ''t rl~l'l''ra/il~lri~tn
r'~qinl~~. It .~~l'ltl''~.s tl/e /n.~r st~l'\ t~J\\'al'~l tiZe
re,Qe/Ierution ~Jl ('///Jal/ societr. [.S I)./
/~/'L'an//J/e: 'I'hc C'utlan WOI'kCI'S al'e 1101 COtititel'-l'eVOttIt
ionaries vearllillg to restolc the olcl otder. I hc real
counter-revollltiottaries are the tyl'atitS 110\\ wielding absolute power
over our country, subjecting our people to the most brutal political
opptession and econotnic exploitation. Chnba is not a socialist society. It
is a totalitarian state with a militarized economy and a militarized social
system. The alleged "socialized" property actually belongs to the State, and
the State is, in fact, the property of the oligarchy commanded bv the
"maximum leader," Fidel Castro. All political and economic power is
concentrated in the hatlds of this minority, which constitutes the new
ruling class.
Therefore, our first and most important task is to destroy the totalitarian
state. Only then can we reconquer the freedom to shape our OWI1 destiny and
prepare the way for a social system in which the workers and peasants will
become the real masters of all the means of produc/icin, clistribution and
public services.
OUI' comrades now living in Cuba in totalitarian slavery are convinced that
the Cuban problem is essentially a political problem, and that our strategy
should be directed toward first recuperating the indispensable civil
liberties necessary to initiate a process of social chatlge icacting to a
more just, more cultured, happier and freer life. The following programmatic
proposals accurately express the ideas and sentiments of our comrades in
Cuba.
Political Struclure: (a) The totalitarian State must be replaced by a
political structure which will guarantee unrestricted civil liberties with
the most scrupulous respect for human rights [freedom of speech assemblage,
movement, organization, worship, etc.]. (b) The political police must be
abolished. (c) Entirely autonomous municipalities and their confederation
into free provinces must be established. (d) A nationally federated system
based on a new, decentralized order, must be organized. (e) Abolition of the
army, maintaining only the absolute minimun1 of professional officers and
minimum military training, is essential.
Economic Structure: We advocate (a) the land to those who work it organized
and planned as the peasants themselves decide¬individual or family
cultivation, creation of voluntary cooperatives and collectives similar to
the Israeli Kibbutzim, etc.; (b) collectivization and operation of
large-scale basic industries by the workers, technicians and administrators
through a system of self-management, supervised by their respective unions;
where necessary for the general welfare and the economy, allowance for
individual or group ownership of small craft workshops and similar
small-scale enterprises by artisans, (c) overall economic planning by
integrated coordinated workers' organizations,
148
tcct~i~ic;'l ;~l1tl .'tit~~i~,ist''~tivc r~tg;~'li/;iti~l'~...; (tl) it~
l'~iv.~tcly-'l''llccl csiahlishmcut~ \'hich, hCcausc ot' SlleCiai
ChCUIllstallCCS C;UlnOt hc Noci;lli/ctl, illc S\StCIll ol
CO-IIUnn~gClllCllt, IllUtiCill;'tiolT hv tllc workers, ~11~lll Ill~-V.lil.
.S''cta/ .Strnctule. All social services shall be renctered and
aclmitlisterecl hv tilC UlliOIlS, municipalities and otller federated
bodies, wnicl1 will guaratltee to all Cuballs the followitlg free services:
matcrllity care, other medical and health services' unemployrTletlt
benefits, access to cultural and entertainment facilities... (b) Free
ectucation shall be provided at all 1f v~ lc ~ncl in ,Jll areas Inlinlalv
and hich school, university, technical
housing will be provided for all.
and artistic school, etc.]. (c) Free
C'oncl'~sions: With the passage of time, and under the dictatorship, the
long-suffering people of Cuba have endured profound changes in their way of
life. The mentality of the young people who have come to maturity under the
dictatorship differs greatly from that of the preceding generation. To try
to turn back the clock to a bygone era is both utopian and absurd. If we are
to succeed, we must be realistic, take into account the present situation
and act accordingly: this means clintinating existing evils, retaining that
which is valuable, and initiating new and progressive changes in the quality
of Cuban life.
[After outlining the structure of the proposed united front of the Cuban
libertarian movement of resistance in exile which would insure mutual
solidarity while retaining the full independence of participating
organizations, the Declaration goes on to stress that] In the new Cuba, the
labor movement must be organized according to federalist principles in
industrial unions totally independent of the state and of political parties.
Only thus can we assure freedom of movement, initiative and creative action.
Summation: Revolution and Counter-Revolution
(Translated from Accion Lihertaria, Organ of the Argentine Libertarian
Federation, Buenos Aires, July 1961)
The heroic impetus of a people that overthrows a dictatorship and expels the
tyrant and his assassins¬THAT IS REVOLUTION.
But to assume absolute power in order to accomplish by dictatorial methods
that which the recently liberated people should themselves do¬THIS IS
COUNTER-REVOLUTION.
To cleanse the country of the abuses of the regime that has been
overthrown¬THAT IS REVOLUTION.
149
,1
13Ul to c~tablish tetior tot IhC shtunelUss, pitilCss C.\tCttilitlalitin ot
those
\\ho \\ill tlot COntOtill to ti]C new diCtatt!tShip¬I'HIS IX ('()llN'fERR l~
V( ~ l t I I'I ( )N.
lo as.sunlc the direct patticipation ol~ the peoples in all ot' the new
creatton.s.tild accomplishilletits¬THAT IS REVOLUTION.
Hut to clictate by decree how things should be done and to canalize the
accomplisilmcnts under thc iron control of the State¬-THIS IS
COUNTER-REV(~)LUTIC)N.
To seize the lands for those who work them, organizing them in free peasant
communities¬THAT IS REVOLUTION.
But to twist the Agrarian Reform, exploiting the guajiro as an employee of
the National Ilistitute of Agrarian Reform¬THIS IS COUNTERREVOLUTION.
I-o expropriate capitalist enterprises, turning them over to the workers and
technicians¬THAT IS REVOLUTION.
But to convert them into State monopolies in which the producer's only right
is to obey¬THIS IS COUNTER-REVOLUTION.
I'o eliminate thc old armed forces such as the army and the police¬THAT IS
REVOLUTION.
But to establish obligatory militias and maintain an army subservient to the
governing clique¬THIS IS COUNTER-REVOLUTION.
To oppose foreign intervention in the lives of the people, and repudiate all
imperialism¬THAT IS REVOLUTION.
But to deliver the country to some foreign powers under the pretence of
defense against others¬THIS IS COUNTER-REVOLUTION.
To permit the free expression and activity of all truly revol~ni~n~rv forces
and tendencies¬THAT IS REVOLUTION.
...~.,
But to recognize only one single party, persecuting and exterminating as
counter-revolutionaries, those who oppose communist infiltration and
domination¬THIS IS COUNTER-REVOI UTION.
To make the University a magnificent center of culture, controlled by the
professors, alumni and students¬THAT IS REVOLUTION.
150
13ut to con\crt thc IJtlivet-sity hno all InsttunncHt ol gOVerTlIllCtit.tl
poliC\, C\pCiling and pCrSCCUtitig tllilSC who uili not submit¬TIlIS IS
C()llN l l R-RI V()I llTl()N.
I o laisc tlTc standard of livitig of the worhers through their own
plodllctivc et't'orts inspired by the gencrai welt'are¬THAT IS Rl V()l
ll'l'l()N.
13ut to itmpose pialis prepared by State agencies and demand obligatory
tribute l'rom those \\ 1lo labor¬THIS IS COUNTER-REVOLUTION.
10 establish school.s and combat illiteracy¬THAT IS REVOLUTION.
But to indocitiliate the children in tne adoration of thc dictator and his
ciosc associates, milital iZillg these children in the service of the
State¬TIIIS IS COUNTER-REVOLUTIC)N.
To ''ive the labor unions full freedom to organize and administer themselves
as the basic organs of the new economy¬THAT IS R E V(:) I. Ul-l ()N.
But to stamp these witl1 the seal of subordination to the dominant t
egillle¬'I'H IS IS COU NTEK-KkVOLUTION.
To sow the countryside with new constructive people's organizations of every
sort, stimulating free initiative within them¬THAT IS KkV()I.UTION.
Rut to prohibit them or inhibit their action, chaining them to the doctlillc
and to the organisttis of' State power¬THIS IS COUNTERREV()I.UTION.
To call on the solidarity of all peoples, of the decent men and women of the
World, in support of thc revolutionary people who are building a ncw
lil'e¬THAT IS REVOLUTION.
But to identify with Russian totalitarianism as a "Socialist State" of the
type acceptable to the Soviet Empire¬THIS IS COUNTERREVOLUTION.
All those forward steps that wel-e taken by the Cuban people under the
hallllel of liberty, wnic}1 shone forth as a great hope for all the
.\mcricas and for thc World, ~ AS THE CUBAN REVOLUTION.
I'hc bloody dictatorship of L'idel ('astro and his clique, whatever the
151
mask it may wear or the objectives it may claim to have, IS THE REAL
COUNTER-REVOLUTION.
152