HAVANA, Cuba, Jan 29. Army General Raul Castro ratified on Sunday that Cuba will never renounce having a single Party, as wanted by imperialism, since doing so will lead to the defeat of the Revolution and would sacrifice the unity of the people.

While closing at Havana’s Convention Center the First National Conference of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC), he highlighted the democratic nature of the preparatory process, with the participation of members of the PCC and of the Young Communists League (UJC) in the debates on the meeting’s draft document.

In the presence of over 800 delegates, Raul criticized those who built their hopes up thinking that this Conference would mark the beginning of the political and social dismantling of the Revolution and wanted the restoration of the multiparty model.

He added that the concept of a single Party is in full correspondence with Article Five of the Constitution of the Republic, approved in referendum by 97.7 percent of electors, by way of free, direct and secret vote.

Raul reiterated that it’s necessary to promote, more and more, greater democracy in Cuban society, starting by setting an example from within Party ranks, which presupposes, he added, the encouragement of an atmosphere of maximum confidence an sincere exchange of opinions, both in the heart of the organization and in its bonds with workers and the population, including the mass media.

During his speech, the First Secretary of the PCC asserted that, at the same time, the shaping of a more democratic society will also contribute to overcome simulating and opportunistic attitudes emerging under false unanimity and formalism in the treatment of different situations of national life.

The only thing that could lead to the defeat of the Revolution and socialism in Cuba would be our inability to overcome mistakes committed for over 50 years, since January 1st, 1959, new mistakes and future mistakes, he pointed out.

He called to strengthen unity around the Party and the Revolution and also the permanent bond that exists with the masses, and to preserve the Cuban nation and economic and social achievements, on the basis of the fact that the homeland, the Revolution and socialism are indissolubly combined.

Ratifica Raúl que Cuba no sacrificará la unidad de su pueblo - #CubaVa