Producing can have an impact in the farm, the municipality and the country.

Villa Clara has shown a notable capacity for recovery and growth in an economic line of vital importance to the country, like tobacco.

Freddy Pérez Cabrera | internet@granma.cu

The tobacco sector in Villa Clara has generated a considerable number of working positions, fundamentally for women and youth. Picture by Endrys Correa Vaillan.

 

Villa Clara.–In La Puntilla, a farm located in Falcón, lives Linner Marrero Turiño, fairly considered the main producer of tobacco in Cuba, candidate to the title of Man Cigar in 2024.

Thirteen years ago, motivated by tradition received from his father, Juan Marrero, he began to develop links to the cultivation of tobacco, first through the technology of sun and stick, extended after to tobacco covered, in which nobody does better than he does in Cuba, because of the mastery he achieved.

For best results, he faced challenges, including the removal of the marabú, an invasive thorny plant, to ensure sufficient area for the cultivation of tobacco and other plants.  During the harvest, Linnel’s focus is producing more than 175 000 tobacco beams, which represent 13 per cent of the tobacco to be harvested in this territory. These numbers point to Linnel’s quality as tobacco producer and to his application of science and technical knowledge to it, something he believes in deeply.

«I do not believe I am superior to anybody just because I produce a bit more tobacco; I hope we become all very good at this because if we do Cuba wins», he says humbly, and adds that he would like to help others, particularly youth who begin to work in this area.  

His routine at work, he explains, includes being up at 5 in the morning and sometimes not finishing until after 9 pm, his farm is demanding because it produces not only tobacco but also beans, yuca, corn, sweet potatoes, and he raises animals too. And yet, it is mainly because of this that he has been able to become self-sufficient and sustainable.

 

To have an idea of the magnitude of the Project young Linnel Marrero started, it would be enough to say that he not only contributes extraordinarily to tobacco export but that the past year he has also produced 20 tons of beans and 30 tons of corn, besides yuca and sweet potatoes in line to feed people and animals. 

«I have 200 workers who help me in many ways, who I pay a decent salary and tried to ensure they enjoy good living conditions as required by the work we do», he explains. Fortunately, he is not the only one capable of ensuring proper tobacco for our cigars, there are others who have been following his steps and are prominent like him in this province.

The path to recovery.

Only four or five years ago, the Start Tobacco Company (Empresa de Acopio y Beneficio del Tabaco La Estrella) was in the red for more than five million pesos,  and the number of producers were below 25, both indicators speaking about the challenging situation of the company but also of Villa Clara itself as a province.

Changes in direction and a new integrated strategy of development, have made possible to achieve what people wanted, that is transforming this territory into one of the main producers of tobacco in the country. In fact, it is now prominent in producing tobacco layers crucial in producing cigars for export.

Antonio Subí Pérez, general director of the above name company, has been instrumental and in charge of such transformations -or as he correctly says, change is never the work of one person in particular but of the tobacco family who follow and support that person implementing changes needed, and turning the company around making it successful and productive.

«We count 72 tobacco producers and 400 using the sun and stick technology, " he explains, "motivation is high, particularly among tens and tens of youth incorporated into this work and attracted by the successful results of more experienced, older producers."

Three years ago this province delivered 9 000 handfuls of layers for export but at the end of last year's campaign it was able to deliver more than  200 000, most of them of top quality for the making of cigars for export to the most demanding markets. From an economic perspective, The Star concluded the first quarter of 2025 with more than 16 million pesos in utilities.

According to the Director of The Star, there are visible increases in territory dedicated to the plantation of tobacco under cover in this area, which went from 100 hectares four years ago to more than 346 hectares today. The total area of tobacco cultivation, planned to be 1500 hectares soon, is proof of the sustained growth in this area. This year we harvested 1 million 800 thousand tobacco beams, the plan is to finish with 1 million 850 thousand, which means more than a ton per hectare, a number never achieved before in the province.

Currently, 30 producers from Villa Clara are responsible for more than 10 000 tobacco beams, while 11 producers respond for more than 20 000 tobacco beams, four respond for  more than 50 000 tobacco beams and 3 respond for above 100 000 tobacco beams.  Among these last producers are Noel Rolando Benitez, Linnel Marrero and Orelvis Peñate who are at the head of tobacco production in the province.  

Applying the newest science and technology has been crucial in fomenting and ensuring tobacco production in Villa Clara. Many houses are helping the processing, tunnels are destined to produce tobacco postures and also photovoltaic panels used by producers to favor irrigation and tobacco treatment, among other things.     

Thanks to all this focus and work and the sustainable growth of this area of production Villa Clara has been able to warrant 66 percent of tobacco layers demanded by our country, according to Subí Pérez, who spares no praise to the men and women working this sector in the province. Tobacco production has created an important number of jobs mainly for women and young people.

 

It is much more than tobacco.

The growth in income generated by tobacco cultivation was shared to other communities and centers of social  interest -like hospitals, senior homes and children homes. In solidarity with people the tobacco family shared awareness that many were facing need during these challenging times Cuba is facing. Equipment needed, utensils, food, toys and other articles were provided that contributed to improve living conditions in hospitals attending children and oncological patients. Help was also provided to vulnerable seniors for example. Equally important has been the sector contribution to territorial development -a one percent that is sent directly to local governments, like the city of Placetas which received more than 3 million pesos for that concept last year.  Important too has been the sector contribution to employment generation in communities, and within a variety of work within tobacco production. For example 30 selected in diverse areas of Villa Clara include those where more than one thousand women and youth work who were until then unemployed and not studying. 

Translation  NSCUBA Canada

Cuban President Honors Fidel Castro in Russia 

 

As a child honoring the legacy of his father, our president and his delegation, on an official visit to Russia for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, visited the statue of the Cuban Commander in chief in the district of Sokol, Moscow. 

 With this sculpture of Fidel, the Russian people pay homage to who they described as a paradigm of Latin America and the world. The sculpture was inaugurated on November 22, 2022 by President Putin and President Diaz-Canel. 

 During the inauguration President Putin described Fidel, who he met, as someone able to consider not only the people of Cuba but of the whole Latin America and the world. President Putin also mentioned Fidel’s preoccupation for the common welfare and justice, a unique personality that Latin America gifts us all with. (Find the exact words of his speech below). at the time included below. 

 During that act President Díaz-Canel explained that Fidel understood well “the links of fraternity that have united both our nations” and he also admired “the greatness of the soviet people during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), its humanism and its capacity for sacrifice to save the entire humanity from fascism." 

The square also has Fidel’s name since 2017, the sculpture made of bronze, measures 3 meters in height and represents the bearded Young man with military uniform and his traditional beret, standing on a block of Stone with the map of Cuba. According to the architect and the sculptor of the monument, Andrey Beliy y Alexey Chebanenko respectively, the sculpture represents the heroic path of a man who defends the rights of people in his country. 

 Prior to this stop, President Diaz-Canel participated in the act celebrating the 65th anniversary of the re-establishment of Cuban-Russian relations in may 8th, 1960. During this celebration he confirmed that the Cuban-Russian friendship has overcome the trials of time and the most complex and diverse international circumstances. “History has taught us that in the middle of challenges, cooperation and solidarity are fundamental values of our relations. Today we still have many challenges and motivation to continue together in our path of freedom and in defense of peace, human development and the future of our peoples.” 

This Wednesday morning also included the Act by which comrade Guennadi Zuganov of the Communist Party of Russia honored the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President Diaz-Canel, with a medal commemorating the 80th anniversary of the great victory. 

Diaz-Canel, together with more than 20 chiefs of state and government, will be part of May 9th celebrations of the Victory over Fascism and the end of WWII parade which traditionally takes place in historic Red Square in Moscow. 

Prensa Latina, May 7, 2025.

Translation NSCUBA

November 22, 2022.

Fidel Castro monument in Moscow. 

Discourse of President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

“Mr President, Cuban guests, Muscovites, friends,
We have gathered here, on a square named after Fidel Castro, to unveil a monument to this outstanding statesman and political figure, the founder of the modern Cuban state.
Fidel Castro dedicated his life to the selfless struggle to advance the ideas of goodness, peace and justice, for the freedom of oppressed peoples, for a decent life for ordinary people and social equality.
He is rightfully considered one of the most colourful and charismatic leaders of the turbulent and dramatic 20th century, a truly legendary person and a symbol of an era of national liberation movements, the collapse of the colonial system and the creation of new independent states in Latin America and Africa.

Fidel and his associates have selflessly defended the sovereignty of their native country; they did not allow it to be broken by the intervention of mercenaries, sanctions, financial or economic embargo, or attempts at external isolation; they upheld Cuba’s right to its own development model in accordance with national rather than externally imposed values; and made sure that the world takes into account Cuba’s opinion and respects its interests.

For many generations of our fellow citizens, the image of the Comandante has always been shrouded in romantic glory, courage and victories. The lyrics of the well-known Soviet song Cuba, My Love! reflected our sincere and enthusiastic feelings not only for the Island of Freedom and the entire Cuban people, but also directly for Fidel, whose strength, energy and unbending will attracted and still attract people like a magnet.

Friends, I was lucky enough to meet with Fidel Castro on several occasions, and I still remember many hours of conversations with him, especially our last conversation in July 2014.
He talked about the things that were surprisingly consonant with the time –- the time of the development of a multipolar world – saying that independence and dignity cannot be put up for sale and that every nation is entitled to develop as it sees fit and to choose its own path, and that a truly fair world has no place for dictatorship, plunder or neo-colonialism. His encyclopaedic knowledge, deep understanding of the underlying causes of events, sharpness of mind, and accuracy of assessments were striking.

Fidel was a true friend of our country and often came to see us. In 1963, he travelled around almost the entire Soviet Union. He was always a welcome guest in Moscow and loved it very much. As Fidel said, he was willing to come to Russia any time, summer or winter, with or without snow.
Our country has always supported the freedom-loving Cuban people and the leadership of the Republic. And we know it is a mutual feeling. Cuba has been, is and, I am sure, will always be our consistent strategic partner and ally in international affairs.
Friends,

The Russian-Cuban friendship that was bequeathed to us by Fidel Castro is the common legacy of our peoples. Mr President, you represent the new generation of Cuban leaders and you are making an enormous contribution to promoting friendly and trust-based relations between our countries.
We will join efforts in order to strengthen our alliance and to defend the great values of freedom, equality and justice.
Thank you for the attention.

 

Cuba remains Russia’s reliable ally in Latin America — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister added that Moscow and Havana as members of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter "advocate for the consistent rather than selective use of the principles enshrined in this foundational UN document"

MOSCOW, May 7. /TASS/. Cuba is Russia’s reliable ally and priority partner in Latin America, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an article for Cuban media titled "Russia and Cuba: Celebrating brotherhood through the years and across distances," dedicated to the 65th anniversary of reinstating diplomatic relations between Russia and Cuba:  "Regular contacts at the top level have always been the driving force of Russian-Cuban relations. President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez is visiting our country as of this writing to participate in the celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War," the top Russian diplomat pointed out.

"Russia has always deeply appreciated Cuba’s contribution to the fight against Nazism, including the assistance provided by the island’s democratic, workers’ and trade union organizations, which sent essential supplies to the Soviet Union during the war," Lavrov noted. "We honour the memory of Cubans who fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War far from their homeland. Among them are Jorge Vivo, who fought in a partisan unit near Leningrad, his brother Aldo Vivo, who died on Nevsky Pyatachok (Neva Bridgehead), and Enrique Vilar, who died in the battles for Poland’s liberation," the Russian foreign minister added.

"Cuba is Russia’s reliable foreign policy ally and top priority partner in Latin America. Our Cuban friends stand in solidarity with us on the vast majority of international issues. We support the world majority’s focus on forming a fairer multipolar world order that takes into account the interests of all nations - medium-sized and small ones - without exception," Lavrov stressed.  Moscow and Havana as members of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter "advocate for the consistent rather than selective use of the principles enshrined in this foundational UN document," the top diplomat recalled.

Fight against neo-colonialism

Russia and Cuba are closely cooperating in the fight against neocolonial practices. "Thanks to the efforts, including those of our two countries, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on eradicating colonialism in all its forms and manifestations last year, which fully meets the world majority’s key interests. We look forward to continuing joint work in order to declare December 14 the International Day against Colonialism in All Its Forms and Manifestations already in 2025. Adopting such a decision in the year that marks the 65th anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples will hold significant symbolic meaning," Lavrov said.

Against sanctions
"Both Russia and Cuba oppose illegal unilateral sanctions, which not only contradict international law, but also hit hard the most vulnerable groups of the population," the top Russian diplomat’s article said. "Russia has consistently advocated bringing an immediate and complete end to the US trade embargo on Cuba. The adoption of the resolution titled ‘Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba’ at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly once again confirmed the near unanimous solidarity of the international community with the demands of the Cuban people and the rejection of this illegal and unfair policy," the Russian foreign minister said.
According to him, Russia "also insists on unconditional removal of Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism."

Unwavering support
"We are grateful to Havana for its unfailing support amid the hybrid war being waged by the West against Russia. The Cuban leadership has repeatedly and rightly pointed to NATO’s longstanding expansion towards Russia’s borders as the root cause of the conflict over Ukraine," the top diplomat said.
"It is no less important to achieve full respect for human rights in the territories remaining under the control of the Kiev regime, which, after the violent power grab in 2014, set out to exterminate everything associated with Russia and the Russian world, including the Russian language, culture, traditions, canonical Orthodoxy, and Russian-language media," Lavrov added.

 From TASS, May 7, 2025: https://tass.com/politics/1954219