“No thieves, no traitors, no interventionists! This time the revolution is for real!”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
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Quote
“No thieves, no traitors, no interventionists! This time the revolution is for real!”
Explanation
This quote captures Fidel Castro’s impassioned declaration at the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, marking a clear break with the corruption, betrayal, and foreign domination that had characterized previous regimes. The exclamation “No thieves, no traitors, no interventionists!” is a categorical rejection of the elements that undermined Cuban sovereignty in the past—specifically the influence of corrupt elites, disloyal politicians, and U.S. interference. The emphatic follow-up—“this time the revolution is for real!”—signaled to the Cuban people and the world that this was not another failed rebellion or political farce, but a genuine, transformative upheaval.
Historically, this declaration was made in January 1959, as Castro’s forces entered Havana following the fall of Fulgencio Batista, a dictator supported by the United States. Previous Cuban uprisings had often ended in compromise or been co-opted by foreign powers. Castro’s words thus emphasized the revolution’s authenticity, independence, and moral clarity, aligning it with the long tradition of Cuban nationalist and anti-colonial struggles, especially those led by José Martí.
In the modern context, the quote remains a symbol of uncompromising revolutionary commitment, often cited to reaffirm ideals of sovereignty, justice, and anti-imperialism. It serves as both a warning against co-optation and a rallying cry for integrity in political movements. Castro’s proclamation is not just historical—it is a standard against which revolutionary authenticity is still measured.
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