Dear Editor
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins the millions the world over in paying homage and emphasizes our sincere and deepest respect to Commandante Fidel Castro, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba, a sister Caribbean country.

Cde Fidel, as we familiarly and lovingly referred to him, influenced positively the struggles of the oppressed and deprived and the poor of the world and more particularly of Latin America, Africa and Asia. At the head of Socialist Cuba, he and Cuba were a great symbol of internationalism. His work had been a major contributor in bringing about freedom for the Cuban people as well as an inspiration to millions fighting poverty and those forces that were their oppressors.

Fidel gave real and tested leadership while striking blows to colonial rule, apartheid and imperialism. Undoubtedly, he is deemed one of the greatest revolutionaries of the twentieth century and partly of the twenty-first century.

Fidel displayed remarkable integrity in adhering to moral, political and ethical principles. Moreover, we shall be always thankful to Fidel’s Cuba international solidarity in which many millions of people and countries have benefitted from. Guyana is one of the many recipients of this selfless solidarity. Cde Fidel would remain an icon for several generations. He symbolized the dreams of those who believe that this world has an alternative path. He fought for the liberation of the Cuban people, worked daily for the success of the Cuban Revolution and influenced the socialist construction in Cuba. Fidel will also be remembered as a revolutionary who stood up against US imperialism, facing daunting odds in doing so.

The humanist ideals of socialism have manifested themselves in many ways in this Caribbean island. They influence social consciousness throughout the world, and is a continuing force which helps to keep alive the cherished hopes of the world’s working-people. GAWU and undoubtedly sections of Guyanese will continue to support the Cuban people in their quest for peaceful co-existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of their country and to bring a total end to the sanctions on Cuba. At this time, we, once more, express our full solidarity with Cuba for an end to the ignominious and irrelevant US embargo. GAWU, in this sad moment, sends condolences to the Government, the Cuban people and the Communist Party of Cuba. The ideas of this outstanding revolutionary live on. His work, struggles, exploits and achievements will continue to inspire this generation of fighters and still generations to come.

Farewell, dear comrade, the struggle continues.
Regards
GAWU