The new President of the Council of State and Ministers, Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez gives his first speech on Thursday, April 19, as head of State of the Republic of Cuba.
"When I fulfill this responsibility with honor and emotion, I dedicate the first thought to the historical generation that with its consecration and humility accompanies us in this hour of challenges", said Díaz-Canel, recently elected as president of the Councils of State and Ministers.
The member of the Political Bureau asserted that the presence of Raúl, Machado and Ramiro in the Cuban Parliament is not due to the tribute they deserved for the work done, but for the example given. The Army General has received the most votes in the last elections, he recalled.
"They are in this room, offering us the opportunity to embrace history,” the new President of the Island added.
Regarding the electoral process that culminated last March, the Cuban politician said: "It is an election that emerges from the people, who in turn will control its management."
On the representativeness of the main governing body in Cuba, he said: "If someone wanted to see Cuba in a group of citizens, it would be enough for them to study the representation of the Assembly."
The Cuban leader spoke of "favoring the open debate" and mentioned, “the first raison d'être of all the deputies is the communication with the people."
"The mandate given by the people to this legislature is the continuity of the Revolution," he reaffirmed.
Before being interrupted by the applause, Diaz- Canel said:
"I assume the responsibility for which I have been elected, with the conviction that all Cubans will be faithful to the legacy of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, and the example of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, the current leader of the revolutionary process ".
I name them and I see in them the face of Martí, of Céspedes. Fidel and Raúl showed us the meaning of the word brother. They taught us a brotherhood that made us partners, said Miguel Díaz-Canel.
The new president ratified that the unity of the Cubans is the most valuable force of the Revolution, which has become extraordinary within its single Party. "For us it is totally clear that only the Communist Party of Cuba guarantees the unity of the nation and its people," said the President of the Council of State and Ministers.