“Although we resolutely supported the armed struggle against Batista’s tyranny, we were, on principle, opposed to any terrorist action that could cause the death of innocent people.”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
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Quote
“Although we resolutely supported the armed struggle against Batista’s tyranny, we were, on principle, opposed to any terrorist action that could cause the death of innocent people.”
Explanation
This quote highlights Fidel Castro’s attempt to draw a moral and strategic distinction between legitimate revolutionary warfare and indiscriminate violence or terrorism. While affirming full support for the armed resistance against Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship, Castro is careful to assert that the Cuban revolutionaries were guided by ethical principles, particularly a commitment to protecting innocent lives. The phrase “on principle” emphasizes that this was not merely tactical, but a moral stance embedded in the movement’s identity.
Historically, Cuba’s revolution involved guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and urban resistance, but its leaders—including Castro and Che Guevara—frequently condemned acts that targeted civilians, arguing that such tactics undermined the cause and alienated popular support. In contrast to Batista’s regime, which engaged in torture, repression, and massacres, the revolutionary movement sought to claim the moral high ground by aligning its military efforts with a code of justice and accountability.
In modern times, the quote speaks to broader discussions about the ethics of resistance and the legitimacy of violence in political struggle. It challenges the assumption that all armed struggle is synonymous with terrorism, and insists that revolutionary legitimacy depends not just on goals, but on the means employed. Castro’s words serve as a reminder that true liberation movements must be guided by principles that respect life and humanity, even in the midst of armed conflict.
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