“For revolutionary Cubans, to cooperate with other poor and exploited peoples has always been a political principle and a duty towards humanity.”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
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Quote
“For revolutionary Cubans, to cooperate with other poor and exploited peoples has always been a political principle and a duty towards humanity.”
Explanation
This quote expresses Fidel Castro’s vision of internationalism rooted in revolutionary solidarity, not charity or diplomacy. By stating that cooperation with “other poor and exploited peoples” is both a “political principle” and a “duty towards humanity,” Castro emphasizes that Cuba’s outreach—especially in the form of medical brigades, educational programs, and technical aid—is not a tactic, but a moral and ideological commitment. It affirms that true revolution is not inward-looking, but globally engaged in the fight against oppression and inequality.
Historically, Cuba under Castro sent doctors to Africa, soldiers to Angola, and teachers across Latin America, often at great cost, but always with the intention of supporting liberation and development movements in the Global South. This quote reflects the belief that revolutionary values transcend borders, and that solidarity among oppressed nations is essential to resisting imperialism and building a more just world order.
In the modern context, the quote continues to resonate as a powerful defense of South-South cooperation and ethical foreign policy. It challenges wealthier nations’ often transactional approach to international aid by contrasting it with Cuba’s ethos of mutual struggle and shared destiny. Castro’s words remind us that true cooperation is rooted not in advantage, but in responsibility, and that revolutionary ideals are fulfilled not just in domestic policy, but in global action for justice.
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