Havana, Mar 13 (RHC) On Monday, the University Student Federation (FEU) remembered the heroes of the actions of March 13, 1957.

On that date, a revolutionary commando led by Jose Antonio Echeverria aimed to execute the tyrant Fulgencio Batista in the Presidential Palace itself, and then, from the University to give weapons to the people and start a massive popular armed struggle that would put an end to the dictatorship.

Echeverria, an outstanding university leader who was studying Architecture, was then the courageous president of the University Student Federation (FEU), founded by Mella in 1922. He also created the Revolutionary Directory as the armed wing of the organization of the progressive and combative student body of the Alma Mater.

The daring action included the seizure of the national radio station Radio Reloj, located in Vedado, somewhat distant from the main venue which was the den of the assassin who had been ruling the country since 1952, using illegal and violent methods.

With the action of March 13, they also intended to take other points of the city such as the Police Master Headquarters to get hold of his large arsenal and then occupy other police stations and barracks until they dominated the capital.

A year before conceiving that plan, Jose Antonio had traveled to Mexico where, along with Fidel Castro, head of the July 26th Revolutionary Movement forced to live in exile, he signed a document of commitment for the collaboration between the two organizations, inscribed in Cuban history for their forceful patriotism. It was the so-called Letter of Mexico.

March 13, 1957, ended up being a day of immense pain due to the massacre of the beloved youth leader and the failure of the action from the military point of view. As a consequence, other participants were killed.

But like all bitter setbacks of genuine fighters, it was also an event that served the moral growth of the nation, for it made clear what its youngest and bravest sons were determined to do to achieve the nation's freedom. A process of popular adherence to the cause was underway.

One of Jose Antonio's last phrases was: "If we fall, may our blood pave the way to freedom".

They decided that they would also march on the path of armed insurrection, because tyranny, the national oligarchy, and foreign domination had denied the people the way to win their rights.

Every March, the remembrance of that heroic deed reaffirms that it was not a useless offering. It made people understand that Cuba was still awakening, without fear of bloody repression, and this time the revolutionary movement would not stop, uniting students and people once again.

Cubans honor every anniversary and always the beloved Jose Antonio and all the martyrs immolated in their youth related to the heroic events of March 13, 1957. As he predicted, their message marked us indelibly, and their beautiful lives inspire a whole people, who do not forget them. (Source: ACN).