Cuban Politician Lectures To Students

STUDENTS WERE treated to a talk by a Cuban politician just a week after Fidel Castro stepped down as President of Cuba.

Well over 70 students packed into tiny Stopford Lecture Theatre 5 and the surrounding corridors.

Spectators were encouraged to invoke the 'spirit of solidarity' promoted by the speaker by sharing seats and floor space.

Politician and philosopher Jesús García spoke for an hour about his country's history and political system. He went on to explain how the government was set up to allow every single citizen access to power.

Mr García, a representative from the Cuban government with close ties to the ex-president of Cuba, answered questions on topics ranging from Cuba's links to Mexican guerrilla group the Zapatistas, to its economic future.

When the chair of the meeting announced that only twenty-five minutes remained for questions, Mr García joked: "in 25 minutes, we can organise a revolution!"

"All in all, the talk was a unique opportunity for students in Manchester to learn more about the much misunderstood Cuban Revolution," said Dr Par Kumaraswami, who organised the event with the Revolutionary Communist Group (RCG).

The event was part of the nationwide speaking campaign by Cuban nationals under the moniker "Rock Around The Blockade".

When questioned about promoting revolution to a student population, the majority of which is middle-class, the RCG insisted that its actions were relevant.

"We are not just looking for communists, but people who believe the system is unsustainable", said representative Kyle Geraghty.

"Democracy should not be for special interest groups."

Mr. García was expected to be joined at the meeting by Orlando Borrego, deputy of infamous Ernesto 'Che' Guevara. Mr. Borrego was away due to preparations for a later speech.

The nationwide speaking tour will continue at universities until 7th March.