Exclusive Interview with Maria Cristina Portales Carrandi, Cuban engineer emigree in Lebanon.

By: Ruben Acosta
Cubadebate

The colossal injustice committed against Palestine, from the middle of last century, has aroused in Cuba, historically, the most varied expressions of solidarity and commitment to the cause of that sister nation.

Deeply passionate about this subject, a very special Cuban involved these days in the event gathering in Havana for over 400 emigrants from the island living in 42 countries.

Maria Cristina Portales Carrandi, a mechanical engineer by profession, was born in Santa Clara city in 1972. Like all Cubans of her generation, had at her disposal the myriad opportunities the revolutionary process offers to its young people and also the opportunity to meet their innumerable obligations, important factors to her solid revolutionary formation.

But that's not the part of the history before us, but which began in 1996. Since then, this cuban shares daily disappointments and frustrations, along with more than 90 thousand Palestinians in Ain el Hilweh, the largest refugee camp in southern Lebanon.

How do you resume your childhood and youth years in Cuba?

Frankly, the word that comes to my mind is happiness, happiness. I lived in Cuba a happy childhood and youth, I lived all stages without interruption, made it difficult to achieve in many other countries.

My two children, for example, have not had a normal childhood. Also, I think, I formed during my childhood and youth in Cuba with a wide range of values that then you can not detach. Solidarity, dedication to a cause, internationalism. These values led me to commit myself to a cause that is not directly that of our people.

When you hear for the first time about the "Palestinian cause"?

During the 1982 invasion of Lebanon, which also provoked a new Palestinian diaspora. I remember that in Cuba, as usual, it was given accurate coverage to that atrocity. I was about 9 or 10 years but I remember it perfectly. It came to me with great force, even being a child, the terrible injustice being committed.

How do you get to Lebanon?

You know that Cuba has graduated hundreds of Palestinian students from our universities. One of them, whom I met while studying at Santa Clara was my husband and the father of my two children. He always had a very clear idea of returning to the camp after graduation and serve his people. It was a difficult decision. I never thought living outside Cuba, but fate had imposed it in this way, we assess it very well and I decided to join his belief of fighting for the return of their countrymen to the land that they belong to.

A Cuban in a refugee camp. People are surprised ..

Yes, everyone asks the same, and although cultural differences are very strong, I've been hard to adjust. Cuba's name opens doors all with incredible ease. The political support of the Revolution to the Palestinian cause arises immediate admiration. Within the camps, to be Cuban is an honor to be lived every day. It is a privileged nationality. There are a lot of confidence in Cuba and Cubans. It is a very easy fight from this trench because nobody has a doubt about the anti-Zionist and anti-imperialism Cuban position.

 What are you doing in Cuba?


Well, I have the honor of representing the Cuban community residing in Lebanon in the event that brings together Cuban emigrants abroad interested in supporting their homeland.


What does it mean to represent the Cuban community in Lebanon in this event?

Really a great privilege, because our community is well attached to  Cuba and the Revolution. It is also the opportunity to spend at least a bit of my time which I have given almost entirely to Palestine, to my beloved homeland and its process which mean so much to me. Summarizing: a pleasure.

What do you expect from the event?

I hope a wider unity of the Cuban community abroad, so to be all more active in support of our national origin and their struggles of today and tomorrow. Tell everyone out there and that Cuba is not falling.

What role do you attribute to Cuba as part of the struggle for an independent Palestine?


A main role. Cuba's position for many years was unchanged. It has not ceased to criticize Israel for its atrocities, constantly. And the mark left by the Cuban Revolution in the Palestinian cause is undeniable. For example, the scholarships plan. Today it is recognized that the Palestinian graduates in Cuba are the best cadres which that country has to fight for their future, the best trained.

What possible solution do you see to this difficult conflict?

The unity of the Palestinian people and its main political forces against the aggressor. Bridging differences and joining forces to demand Israel to return to the territories seized in 1948 and after.

"Palestine-Cuban or Cuban-Palestinian?

Neither. I am totally Cuban.