Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, criticised those who in the midst of the recovery of the provinces affected by Hurricane Melissa label the Revolution as a failed state.

While heading a session of the National Defence Council, and in his capacity as president of that organ, Díaz-Canel responded to the matrix of hate that seeks by all means to discredit the country’s efforts, and to disguise the criminal effect of the blockade on the economy and daily life on the Island as incapacity of the Cuban revolutionary State.

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«We then ask them if a failed state could confront a hurricane with the characteristics of Melissa, and overcome the challenge of protecting the life of the people at very critical moments for the economy,» he said in the final moments of the meeting, transmitted live in the space From the Presidency on Mesa Redonda, in the Palace of the Revolution.

«What the haters do not know is that when that phrase is used, it is forgotten that in Cuba the State is all of us,» and he clarified further on that the social fabric that the Revolution has created in blocks, neighbourhoods and communities is more powerful than a common state. «The power of the people, that is real power, and in these days we have seen that slogan converted into deeds.»

He indicated that a week later the wounds that Melissa left in its double passage through Cuba continue to challenge us; and the days pass slowly for those who wait for electrical energy, water, food, the essential materials to recover what the site took away, he noted.

«But to all we reiterate, we assure them that no one will be left abandoned to their fate; the Revolution is alive, it will always be alive and, therefore, its children will always be safe.»

The President of the National Defence Council stated that what has been seen in these days on tours of the most hard-hit zones is doubly impressive because of the destruction, of course, but also because of the tough nobility of this people who are invincible.

«Some will say it is in the DNA of the Cuban, resistant like our palm trees that can bend,» but he affirmed that there is something more powerful: the unity of the nation in the face of dangers and the humanist work of the Revolution.

The leader underlined that the reaction of everyone who feels Cuban is admirable, when they are called upon to support those who have lost everything.

He also alerted that due to the scale of the damages caused by the hurricane in the eastern region, for being so profound that they are not healed in a few days, the recovery of its territories will take time.

Several ministers or heads of organisations, at the front of the work groups of the National Defence Council, informed of the damages caused in their sectors or branches and the actions undertaken for recovery.

The presidents of the Provincial Defence Councils of the eastern territories also did so, who thanked the accompaniment of the country’s leadership and the attitude of the population, even with severe effects.