Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Havana, Oct 26. - A new book has been added today to the copies that tell the common history of the peoples of Cuba and Angola, whose children united to defend the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the African nation.
Misadventures of War, Cuban Prisoners in Angola, by retired colonel Manuel Rojas, has the particularity of reflecting a little-known chapter: that of those born on the island who were captured by various belligerent forces during the period of Cuban participation in the conflict (1975-1989) in support of the Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA by its acronym in Spanish).
The work, presented yesterday in Luanda, seeks to pass on to new generations that page of sacrifice written by Cuba, to help clarify the facts and prevent them from continuing to be distorted, as often happens on the internet and social networks, said the author.
Rojas also pointed out that the book shows the political scene of the world at the time, especially in Africa, so that one can understand the role of the island and the principles of solidarity that guided the actions of the country and the Cuban combatants, who were convinced of the justice of the cause they defended in Angola.
At the presentation, which was attended by the Aviation General and Chief of Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA by its acronym in Spanish), Altino Carlos José dos Santos, and the Secretary of State for the Protection of Strategic Objectives, Lúcio Gonçalves; they highlighted the important role played by the Cubans, who wrote glorious pages together with the Angolans.
The Chief of Staff highlighted names such as Commander Raúl Díaz Argüelles, first head of the Cuban military mission and recently honored in Cuanza Sul, and others such as the deceased generals Ramón Espinosa Martín and Senén Casas Regueiro.
He thanked the author of the book, whom he called a true comrade, and urged him to continue writing about these relevant moments in the history of the two countries, as his work contributes to cementing the ties of friendship, solidarity, brotherhood and cooperation between the nations, sealed with blood on the battlefield.
Retired FAA general Francisco Lopes Gonçalves Afonso “Hanga” explained that the text addresses the experiences of eight Cuban prisoners in Angola, including the author, six of whom were present at the launch of the work.
Carlos Alberto Marú, Norberto Moral and Ezequiel García were arrested by the South Africans in December 1975 and released in September 1988; Raúl Esteban Lantigua, now deceased, was a UNITA prisoner from 1973 to 1989; the writer Manuel Rojas and Ramón Quesada also fell into the power of UNITA in October 1987 and were released in August 1988.
Meanwhile, the stories of Raúl Martell and Luis Melián, who were captured on February 14, 1988 and released in 1989, complete the tale.
Hanga stressed that no Cuban went to fight other nations for money, honor or glory, nor to live off of merit. They were all convinced that they were fulfilling a patriotic, supportive and humane duty, which is why they did not surrender and did not accept the proposals of treason when they were taken prisoner. (Text and photos: PL)
