50 years ago in the western province of Matanzas, Popular Power was born, an experience that was later institutionalized throughout Cuba and which is based on the broad participation, without exclusions, of all Cubans.

By María Josefina Arce

50 years ago in the western province of Matanzas, Popular Power was born, an experience that was later institutionalized throughout Cuba and which is based on the broad participation, without exclusions, of all Cubans.

On June 30, 1974, the residents of the so-called Athens of Cuba elected, by direct and secret vote, their local representatives and on July 21, the Provincial Assembly of delegates from the 14 municipalities of the territory was constituted.

In 1976, this new system of government was extended to the entire Caribbean nation, thus making the democratic principle of the exercise of power by the people effective.

The historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, defined it very accurately when he expressed that it is the people who nominate and elect their representatives to channel their concerns and defend their rights.

The constituency delegate occupies a primary place in this system, elected by the inhabitants of the communities and who must maintain permanent and systematic contact with those who elected him and placed their trust in him to represent them.

Individually and collectively, the delegates are an essential figure in the work in favor of the community and the municipality, a fundamental link in government management that must encourage local development.

Also noteworthy are the constant visits to the different territories of the country by the members of the National Assembly of People's Power to dialogue with the population, and learn their opinions on the implementation of the policies approved by the country in areas of the economy, services and social sphere.

Another mechanism of citizen participation is the possibility of issuing their opinions on the different laws that Parliament will consider in its ordinary sessions.

Thus, emails are enabled for the population to express their doubts, criteria and suggestions, a process that enriches the regulations.

Since its emergence in Cuba, Popular Power and the organizations that make it up have been transformed and perfected to make it increasingly democratic, participatory and respond to the needs of citizens, in search of their well-being.