From the Escambray to the Congo: In the Whirlwind of the Cuban Revolution - Softcover

Víctor Dreke; Mary-Alice Waters

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0873489470 ISBN 13: 9780873489478

Publisher: Pathfinder Press (NY), 2002

Synopsis

The author describes how easy it became after the Cuban Revolution to take down a rope segregating blacks from whites in the town square, yet how enormous was the battle to transform social relations underlying all the “ropes” inherited from capitalism and Yankee domination.

Dreke, second in command of the internationalist column in the Congo led by Che Guevara in 1965, recounts the creative joy with which working people have defended their revolutionary course—from Cuba’s Escambray mountains to Africa and beyond.

Also available in Spanish (ISBN: 9780873489492).

“These books are the kinds of books historians are always hoping for, but that very rarely see the light of day. Their value for average readers and for scholars cannot be overstressed, for several reasons, the most important being the historical process of reconnecting Cuba and Africa at a time when such reconnecting continues to be fiercely discouraged by the powers-that-be.” —African Studies Review

About this title

About the Author

Víctor Dreke (1937– ) joined the July 26 Movement in June 1956; joined Revolutionary Directorate column that integrated into Che Guevara’s Rebel Army column in October 1958. Commanded forces in Escambray mountains in struggle against counterrevolutionary bands 1960–65. Founding member of the Communist Party of Cuba in 1965 and a member of its Central Committee from 1965 to 1975.

In 1965 he served as second in command of the volunteer column led by Guevara in the Congo. In 1966–68 he led Cuban internationalists aiding national liberation forces in Guinea-Bissau. Later headed the Political Directorate of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. Retired from active military duty with rank of colonel 1990. Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea 2003–2008. President of Cuba-Africa Friendship Association and head of Association of Combatants of Cuban Revolution in Havana Province.

Dreke is the author of From the Escambray to the Congo: In the Whirlwind of the Cuban Revolution (2002).

Edition details

• Publisher: Pathfinder Press (NY)
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0873489470
• ISBN 13: 9780873489478
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 205
• Editor: Mary-Alice Waters