Oscar López: ‘Cuba gives us best example of resistance’

Militant

SOCHI, Russia — Cuban revolutionary Fernando González (center) and Puerto Rican independence fighter Oscar López Rivera (right) spoke to over 200 young people at a forum here Oct. 19 in solidarity with Puerto Rico at the World Festival of Youth and Students. Over 20,000 people attended political, cultural and other events organized by the Russian government hosts and the World Federation of Democratic Youth.

This was the first time the two fighters have been united since they shared a prison cell in the United States for four and a half years. López won his freedom earlier this year, after 36 years in prison for his steadfast opposition to U.S. colonial rule. González was one of five Cubans framed-up and jailed by Washington for up to 16 years.

“I’m proud to have shared a room with Oscar,” González said. “Cuba has championed the cause of Puerto Rico, and I promise the solidarity of the Cuban people with Puerto Rico will never end.”

“Cuba has given us the best example of resistance,” López said. “If we want independence, we will have to fight. The U.S. government won’t give it to us.”

“The U.S. government extracts millions from our country every year,” said Angélica Acosta, of the Frente Socialista of Puerto Rico. “We don’t owe anything.” Adrian González from the Puerto Rican Independence Party and Puerto Rican student leaders Jocylen Velazquez and Maya Rodríguez (left), also spoke.

After Hurricane Maria “Cuba is prepared to help Puerto Rico,” said Cuban delegate and panelist Aleida Guevara March, a doctor and Che Guevara’s daughter. “If the U.S. isn’t going to help, it should get out of Puerto Rico now!”

— RÓGER CALERO