Anniversary of the Ministry of the Interior of Cuba

By María Josefina Arce

In the midst of the arduous struggle waged by the nascent Cuban Revolution against its internal and external enemies, the Ministry of the Interior was born 63 years ago, which throughout all these decades has played an essential role in defending the integrity and sovereignty of the Homeland.

Every day, without rest, men and women in the different organizations and institutions that comprise it have ensured order, security and tranquility in every corner of the national geography.

Invaluable has been the actions of the border guard troops, who, deployed along the Cuban coasts, monitor, protect and defend maritime spaces. They have always been on the front line in the fight against drug trafficking, which constitutes a global problem and threatens international security.

Countless times they have thwarted the entry of narcotics into the country, given the existence of trafficking routes close to our territory and the arrival on the coast of packages dragged by sea currents.

Equally notable is their work in assisting and rescuing numerous people who have found themselves in dangerous situations at sea.

True pages of bravery and dedication have been written by the Cuban fire department, whose members have never hesitated to save lives, even in the most complex conditions. The unfortunate explosion recorded in May 2022 at the Saratoga Hotel in Havana comes to mind.

Without rest, hour after hour, firefighters and rescuers worked to find anyone trapped among the collapsed concrete structures.

The commitment of those Cubans was highlighted by President Miguel Díaz Canel, who wrote on his Twitter account.

A few months later, another unfortunate event would once again test the tenacity and courage of the fire department, a fire at the Matanzas supertanker base, in whose extinguishment members of that body from several provinces participated.

Equally meritorious is the task of Cuba's rangers, who are also part of the Ministry of the Interior.  They are essential in the protection of the environment and the natural resources of the archipelago.

They also carry out educational work in communities, schools and workplaces to raise awareness among the population about the importance of protecting our forests and promoting the planting of trees that enrich our flora and fauna.

In the different tasks carried out by the men and women of the Ministry of the Interior, they have demonstrated their worth and their commitment to the defense of the Homeland, the security of all Cubans and the protection of their property.