More Than Eight Million Cubans Affirm Socialism

On Thursday, June 20, petitions containing the signatures of more than eight million Cubans, or approximately 99 % of the eligible voting population, were presented to representatives of the National Assembly in a ceremony at Jose Marti Revolution Square in Havana. More than 129,000 stations were set up all across Cuba from June 15 - 18 to collect signatures of Cubans who wished to affirm their support for socialism by endorsing a constitutional amendment which states "... the express will of the people is that the economic, political and social regime consecrated in the Constitution of the Republic is untouchable". The petition which received such overwhelming support also declared that "Cuba is an independent and sovereign socialist state of workers, organized by all and for the well-being of all."

This petition campaign was organized by the leadership of the many mass organizations in Cuba, led by the workers. It was in response to the petition presented to the National Assembly in May, just two days before the visit to Cuba of former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter by the ''Varela Project'', which called for the introduction of U.S.-style democracy and elections in Cuba, among other things. That petition received the support of 11,000 Cubans.

The June 15-18 petition campaign was preceded by rallies all across the country, in which an unprecedented nine million people participated. The rally in Havana alone drew more than one million people.