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This Monday marks a significant milestone as the Tania la Guerrillera Pedagogical School in Pinar del Río celebrates its 50th anniversary. The institution, inaugurated by Fidel Castro in 1975, has undergone extensive renovations to restore its former glory. The school, which has trained over 15,000 teachers, is set to reopen with a completely renovated image by September 1, coinciding with the start of the new academic year.

The school’s director, Jorge Alejandro González, expressed his pride in leading the institution where he was once a student. ‘Taking over the direction of this school is both an honor and a challenge,’ he said. González, who has been with the school since he was 15, emphasized the enduring values of academic rigor and the commitment to shaping future educators.

The school’s legacy extends beyond Pinar del Río, as it has played a crucial role in the educational revolution of the 1970s. Evelio Herrera Padrón, Provincial Director of Education, highlighted the institution’s contribution to the region’s stable educational outcomes. ‘Thousands of teachers have graduated from this school, and their impact is immeasurable,’ he noted.

Fidel Castro’s vision for the school was ambitious. During the inauguration, he emphasized the need for teachers capable of working in both urban and rural settings. ‘We aspire to a type of teacher who can teach not only in the city but also in the countryside,’ he said. This vision has been realized over the decades, with the school expanding its curriculum to include 15 specialties, ranging from early childhood education to secondary-level sciences and humanities.

The recent renovations were necessitated by the passage of time and the impact of hurricanes, including Hurricane Ian. The rehabilitation efforts have focused on restoring the school’s infrastructure, including student residences, sports fields, and specialized classrooms. ‘We have worked tirelessly to ensure the school is ready for the new academic year,’ González said.

As the school prepares to welcome 779 students, including 236 first-year students, it continues to uphold its mission of training dedicated educators. ‘I hope that our graduates remain in the sector, motivated and passionate about their profession,’ González added. The school’s 50th anniversary is a testament to its enduring commitment to education and its role in shaping the future of Pinar del Río.

In the first half of 2025, Cuba’s judicial system demonstrated its stringent approach to drug-related crimes, with 98% of individuals tried for such offenses being convicted. This high conviction rate underscores the country’s rigorous enforcement of laws against illicit substances, particularly synthetic cannabinoids, which have become a growing concern in the capital. The Supreme People’s Court recently approved Ruling 476, which provides detailed guidelines for prosecuting cases involving these potent and harmful substances. The ruling emphasizes the need to consider the high toxicity, addiction potential, and health risks associated with synthetic cannabinoids when determining penalties. It also establishes specific criteria for classifying aggravated trafficking offenses, regardless of the quantity seized. Penalties for possession or trafficking of these substances range from one to 30 years of imprisonment, with life imprisonment and even the death penalty as possible outcomes. The ruling also highlights the importance of expert testimony from Criminalistics and Toxicology laboratories to assess the substance’s harmful effects and potential impact on public health. Additionally, the court noted that 84% of those convicted were sentenced to imprisonment, with 92% of those sentences being enforced. The low rate of release benefits for drug offenders reflects Cuba’s strict penal and penitentiary policies, aimed at safeguarding public health, social order, and national security.

Naima Trujillo Barreto, Cuba’s Minister of Education, has announced that the 2025-2026 academic year will mark a pivotal moment in the nation’s educational reform efforts. Speaking at a press conference, she revealed that over 1.53 million students across various levels of general education will commence the new school year on September 1st. This year is particularly significant as it introduces a comprehensive curricular transformation for the final grades of the III Perfectioning of the Education System.

As the centennial of Fidel Castro’s birth approaches on August 13, 2026, it is imperative to reflect on his profound impact on Cuba and the world. Castro, a towering figure in revolutionary history, reshaped the destiny of a small island nation just 90 miles from the United States, defying the stigmas often associated with Third World countries. His life, work, and humanist thought form an inexhaustible reservoir of knowledge and wisdom, offering lessons that transcend time and geography.

The Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) marked its 65th anniversary with a prestigious awards ceremony, presided over by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. The event celebrated the remarkable contributions of Cuban women to the nation’s values and principles. Among the honorees, Mayda Benigna Álvarez Suárez was awarded the title of Heroine of Labor of the Republic for her distinguished career in labor, politics, and social activism. Additionally, the Mariana Grajales and Ana Betancourt Orders were bestowed upon five and 19 women, respectively, by President Díaz-Canel, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, and FMC Secretary General Teresa Amarelle Boué. The ceremony also recognized 300 women with the 23rd of August Distinction, awarded the 65th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp, and honored 101 cadres for their long-standing service to the FMC. Reflecting on the pivotal role of women in Cuba’s history, the late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro Ruz emphasized the necessity of the FMC to advocate for women’s interests and enhance their participation in all spheres of life. The event underscored the enduring legacy of the FMC and its commitment to fostering a just and equitable society.

On the morning of August 17, 1870, in Santiago de Cuba, the dawn was shattered by the roll of drums. The Regiment of the Crown, with their polished boots and Remington rifles, assembled in the Plaza de Dolores. Their mission was clear: the execution of the insurgent leaders at the old slaughterhouse, a site that had witnessed the demise of many independence dreams. Among the condemned was Major General Pedro Felipe Figueredo Cisneros, known as Perucho, a key figure in the Cuban independence movement and the composer of the Cuban National Anthem, ‘La Bayamesa.’

Perucho, suffering from ulcerated feet that rendered him unable to walk, was bound in handcuffs but not in spirit. When ordered to walk to his execution, he retorted with dignity, ‘Can’t you see I can’t? Bring me a car.’ In a mocking gesture, the Spanish officer sent for a donkey instead. Perucho, with a touch of irony, remarked, ‘I will not be the first redeemer that rides on an ass.’ The donkey, seemingly aware of its symbolic burden, carried Perucho slowly and gallantly to the execution site.

At 6:20 a.m., a 25-man platoon stood ready. Beside Perucho were Rodrigo and Ignacio Tamayo, father and son, standing erect. In a poignant moment, Rodrigo extended his handcuffed hands to bless his son before the shots rang out. The officer’s command cut through the humid air: ‘Prepare!… Aim!… Fire!’ The thunderous discharges felled the three men, their bodies falling like flags unfurled for the last time. Perucho’s blood, the patriot who had ignited the spirit of the Bayamo revolution, bathed the earth.

155 years later, the echo of that morning still resonates. The bullets may have silenced Perucho’s body, but his words, immortalized in the Cuban National Anthem, continue to inspire. Perucho, serene in the face of death, rejected cowardly forgiveness and, with his final verses, ‘To die for the Homeland is to live,’ transformed lead into seed, sowing the enduring spirit of Cuban independence.