de que murio el hijo de terrible morales

It had to fight alone for its independence with unsurmountable heroism and, exactly 100 years ago, it suffered a real holocaust in the concentration camps where a large part of its population perished, mostly old men, women and children a crime whose monstrosity is not diminished by the fact that it has been forgotten by humanity’s conscience. Under extremely difficult conditions, Cuba was able to constitute a nation. Much blood was shed and many injustices perpetrated, a large part of which still remain after centuries of struggle and sacrifices under new forms of domination and exploitation. It has been estimated that the conquest and colonization of this hemisphere resulted in the death of 70 million natives and the enslavement of 12 million Africans. They made a remarkable contribution to the ethnic composition and the origins of our country’s present population where the cultures, the beliefs and the blood of all participants in the dramatic history have been mixed. In the course of centuries, over a million Africans ruthlessly uprooted from their distant lands took the place of the enslaved natives already exterminated. Some priests have left tearing testimonies of their protests against such crimes. There were also those who died by the homicidal swords or victims of unknown diseases brought by the conquerors. Most of the men were annihilated by the exploitation and the enslaved work they could not resist and the women turned into pleasure objects or domestic slaves. You will not find here the peaceful and generous native people who inhabited this island when the first Europeans arrived. The land you have just kissed is honored by your presence. Official English translation of Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s statement of welcome to Pope John Paul II on Wednesday, January 21, 1998.

De que murio el hijo de terrible morales