The Best Tribute to Che: A Tour Through Key Settings in Cuba

CHAMBAS.- There is a crystalline, sacred moment for every Cuban family: when it is time to dress their child in the uniform and prepare them to arrive impeccable at school. No matter the difficulties, no matter what may be lacking, all the children of the Island will arrive expectantly to meet their classmates and teachers.

This October 8th was no different, and one could say it held special meaning in every schoolyard, as another anniversary of the fall of the Heroic Guerrilla was commemorated. Every boy and girl in the first grade was invested with their blue neckerchief, that of the Moncadista Pioneer. This Wednesday morning, it was a pleasure to see the "Antonio Maceo" primary school in the municipality of Chambas, in the province of Ciego de Ávila, where the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, arrived. He was accompanied by Roberto Morales Ojeda, a member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, as well as local authorities, in the customary style of touring the country to learn firsthand about the functioning of various experiences.

Spacious, with an enrollment of 641 students, the educational center boasts the strength of having one hundred percent of its teaching staff covered. This was explained to reporters with pride by the principal, Minerva de la Caridad Rodríguez Escobar, who highlighted the school's good academic results.

At a morning assembly where children, parents, and teachers came together to connect with the Homeland and tie the neckerchiefs on 88 young Cubans, President Díaz-Canel Bermúdez placed the blue symbol on a girl's shoulders. In that gesture, it was as if thousands of parents were doing the same, in unison, on a day that repeats, with love, year after year.

Efforts That Yield Results

The next point on the itinerary was the "Nguyen Van Troi" Sand Production Plant, belonging to the Basic Business Unit (UEB) "Chambas Quarries." There, Asdrúbal Pérez, director of the entity, explained to the Head of State that the production of beneficiated sand, artificial sand, granite, and river gravel is destined for the photovoltaic park installation program, housing construction, and other investments such as those in the tourism sector.

The dignitary wanted to know details about workforce stability, the benefits workers receive, and the use of science and innovation. "How do you maintain the production flow amid the complex electro-energy situation?" inquired the Head of State. They explained that the solution has been to create work groups that swing into action based on the availability of the electrical service.

The visit next headed to the "El Tesoro" farm - adjacent to the "La Oriental" community and belonging to the Chambas agro-industrial enterprise; the latter has a total physical area of 6,500 hectares, of which 5,068 are used for rice production.

The results there are encouraging: the spring campaign closed at 103 percent of the plan. Therefore, producer Alexei Marrero affirmed to the President that there is no problem preventing them from fulfilling their duties. "We want to achieve self-sufficiency as soon as possible," expressed Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. He said this in the sense of not having to import rice, so that the money that would be invested in imports could then be allocated to purchasing inputs that agriculture needs.

Díaz-Canel Bermúdez showed particular interest in knowing if the enterprise has self-supply agriculture, and if bio-products are being applied in rice cultivation. He also wanted to know if, with their production levels, the workers can improve their lives. "If there is rice, they should profit," he reasoned, alluding to the right to prosper for those who strive greatly and achieve results.

Encouraging Episodes in the Ciro Redondo Municipality

The country's leadership also went to the Ciro Redondo municipality in the province of Ciego de Ávila. There, the first point visited was a mini-industry located at the "La Candelaria" Farm, belonging to the "Patricio Sierralta" Credit and Service Cooperative (CCS).

From this impeccably orderly place come preserved productions from coconut, guava, tamarind, cherry, or cashew fruit. This Wednesday, one could see lemon juice, mango pulp, or grated coconut in small containers or larger formats.

Díaz-Canel Bermúdez learned about the linkage of this entity with knowledge derived from science and technique. In the mini-industry, for example, the studies undertaken by Doctor of Sciences Miguel Ángel Iparraguirre, focused on obtaining a high-quality bio-fertilizer, are highly valuable.

Another point on the agenda was the "Pina" collection center, of the Basic Business Unit (UEB) "Producción Majagua," where light crude oil is extracted, destined primarily for the production of Diesel fuel, dielectric oil for transformers, and asphalt. There, they explained to the country's leadership about the production process, as well as the material limitations affecting hydrocarbon extraction.

The Head of State inquired about salaries; whether they have self-supply agriculture - the answer was yes; and whether the workforce is stable in this activity of undeniable importance for the country's development.

Positive Signs in Jatibonico

In the afternoon, in the municipality of Jatibonico in the province of Sancti Spíritus, President Díaz-Canel Bermúdez visited the "La Belkys" Farm, belonging to the Basic Unit of Cooperative Production (UBPC) "Argelio Calderón," of the "Uruguay" Sugar Agro-industrial Enterprise.

Producer Osmany González Luzardo explained to the country's leadership that they have an area of 50 hectares, planted with beans, onions, peanuts, and sweet potatoes. These are efforts destined for the industry and prioritized centers in the territory, which have a social impact.

Despite the limitations implied by the complex electro-energy situation, the essential objective of the workers is to continue increasing production as much as possible. This Wednesday, from the furrow, President Díaz-Canel told those who have striven with notable results: "Here there is a tremendous work culture. Look at the state of the plantations…"

The other location on the tour was an area planted with sugarcane, also belonging to the UBPC "Argelio Calderón." There, they explained to the President the strategy for continuing to grow this type of crop. Speaking with workers and managers, the Head of State emphasized the importance of diversifying production, always keeping in mind the need to plant all the food possible.

Subsequently, the visit arrived at the machinery workshop that also belongs to the "Uruguay" Enterprise. The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba was able to observe the equipment they have for ensuring the sugar harvest and other agricultural activities.

The social purpose of the entity, as explained to the Head of State, is to manufacture and repair parts to assume the productive challenges of the Enterprise.

This October 8th in the agenda of the country's leadership began at a school, placing blue neckerchiefs on the youngest pioneers. It is not fortuitous that it continued through settings like the land, which contributes so much to well-being: Che Guevara would have been doing the same or something similar if he were on the Island; he would have been examining furrows, factories, collectives of peasants and workers; he would have been fighting the battle for a stronger and more humane Cuba.