Havana, Cuba: The Hero of the Republic, Gerardo Hernández, National Coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, affirmed at the Round Table Program the total validity of the words of the Commander in Chief Fidel Castro in the founding speech of the organization ago 60 years.
Referring to the new measures announced by Donald Trump from the White House this Wednesday against Cuba, he quoted Fidel: we must be aware that the Homeland is facing the most fierce empire of contemporary times.
He expressed that the mission continues to be the defense of the Revolution from the neighborhoods, and stressed that in each task there is a member of the organization, doctors, scientists, or transporters in the fight against Covid-19.
Gerardo pointed out milestones in the history of the CDRs, such as blood donations, population censuses, fight against vectors, surveillance, collection of raw materials and vaccination campaigns, among others.
Five Decades Looking at the Sea.
The National Coordinator of the CDRs, Gerardo Hernández, recognized the Mirando al Mar Detachments, after five decades in the protection of our coasts and territorial waters from enemy infiltrations, as support for the border guard troops.
At present, he said, the 304 detachments, which bring together more than 7,000 members, 25 percent of them young, are involved in the detection of drugs, and the protection of our flora and fauna from unscrupulous people.
When addressing the contribution of the CDRs in the current circumstances, the Hero of the Republic commented that the purpose is for the organization to get closer to vulnerable people.
He also referred to the work together with the Cuban Women Federation, the Association of Combatants and the delegates of the Popular Power, to be in a better condition to solve the problems of the neighborhood.
A rewarding job
The CDRs reach 60 years on September 28, and for this they are nourished of valuable young people but at the same time they count on those ?old men? from the neighborhood who have dedicated their lives to such a noble task, Gerardo Hernández affectionately expressed.
He urged young people to be part of the CDR, because the organization offers the possibility of being more patriotic, while expressing the great honor he feels as the National Coordinator of an organization founded by Fidel.
Due to the necessary social distancing, generated by the Covid-19, Gerardo called to celebrate from the houses with enthusiasm and turn the date into a day of joy, and for those who can participate in the tweet with the hashtags #CDRCuba and #CDRCuba from social networks #September 28.
He sent greetings to the previous coordinators of the organization who continue to accompany the hard but gratifying work for the defense of the Homeland.
Defense Committees in battle against the pandemic
The Committees for the Defense of the Revolution contributed to the confrontation with Covid-19 from the first cases, by conducting health hearings for its prevention and confrontation, the national vice coordinator of the organization, Vladimir Saur said in the Round Table.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the CDR, the official listed the contributions from the neighborhood to the confrontation with the disease, such as the creation of working groups and the accompaniment of health personnel in the active investigation.
Sauri explained that the Committees support vulnerable sectors of the community in the delivery of food and are added to the work in isolation centers.
He also said that the organization created detachments to support peace and order in the neighborhoods and working groups linked to shopping centers.
Preventive work from the neighborhood
Despite the fact that the CDR is turning 60 years old, the organization has rejuvenated thanks to everything that young people contribute in terms of defending the Revolution from the neighborhood, the national vice-coordinator of the Defense Committees of the Revolution, Vladimir Sauri, said.
On the support of the youth to the CDRs, Sauri highlighted the more than 400 young people grouped in the 60th anniversary detachments who join the volunteer work and the work in isolation centers to face Covid-19.
Also in these times of pandemic, the CDRs have reiterated the need to cultivate patios and plots and to save electricity, he stressed.
The official also said that this year, and despite the difficult epidemiological situation, more than 200,000 voluntary blood donations were made.