Rafael Lafargue, another walk in honor of Fidel Castro
Contramaestre, This journalist from Contramaestre News, the English site of Radio Grito de Baire, had the pleasure of interviewing Rafael Lafargue, son of this city, as he passed through his hometown, while walking from Havana to Santiago de Cuba, in February 2007, for the health of Fidel Castro.
Lafargue is already combing the gray hairs that announce his 70th birthday on August 1. However, his body, his spirit, his soul and his love for the legacy left by the eternal leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, are in excellent health.
Lafargue left Havana, exactly from Punta Brava, where Antonio Maceo is silent in combat, with which he honored the Bronze Titan. His long journey included the territories of the provinces of Havana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Santi Spiritu, Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Las Tunas, Granma and Santiago de Cuba.
He is about to give another satisfaction to his interest and decision to honor Commander in Chief Fidel Castro. This singular walker will depart from La Granjita Syboney, in Santiago de Cuba, pass through the old Moncada barracks and to make a full stop in the monolith that holds the remains of the eternal leader.
When I asked him what moved him to do these feats, he replied:
“I do not consider these walks to be feats, as they are not sacrifices. It is really an honor for me to be able to pay tribute to the leaders who gave us what we have today and to the exploits they did, because they did make sacrifices and feats… And especially to the Commander, because I knew him very closely; I was his backguard for 30 years, in underwater hunting and on trips abroad…”.
Lafargue is deeply moved when she talks about Fidel.
“He was an example of dignity, of the correct use of his incalculable intelligence, which he used in favor of the underprivileged in Cuba and abroad. He was an example of courage and unselfishness for the material (…) and we must follow him; Fidel must not be betrayed even by thought.”
Lafargue has taken other walks. To pay homage to the creation of the III Frente Oriental, and the II Frente Oriental, and to Commander Juan Almeida Bosque, Commander of the Cuban Revolution and head of the III Frente, as well as to the heroine of the Homeland Vilma Espín. So he left the III Frente, to reach the Monolith that keeps the remains of Fidel Castro in the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba, and then continue towards the II Frente, where the remains of Vilma Espín rest. So it is a constant for Lafargue to pay tribute to the ever-guiding of all Cubans, Fidel.
Thus, Rafael Lafargue, already retired and not so young, but governed by his feelings and desires to honor the legacy of heroes and heroines that are no longer there, Fidel Castro at the forefront, and their works.
The walks made by the former commander’s backguard constitute a form of expression of infinite love, which has received support and recognition throughout the country, as it passes through the different towns and cities it passes through.
This member of Personal Security of the Republic of Cuba who accompanied Fidel in so many moments stands out that Contramaestre, his native town, always welcomes him with much love and respect.
He thanks Radio Grito de Baire for the opportunity to present his tributes, and to support him in his first walk in 2007.
Written by Jorge Lora
