On a day marked by emotion and recognition, Cuba paid tribute to the men and women whose daily efforts have left a profound mark on the country’s development. The conferral of the honorary title of Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba once again serves as a living expression of the dignity, perseverance, and commitment of those who have dedicated their lives to building a more just nation.
Based on the premise that work is the essence and driving force of society, the First Secretary of the Party’s Central Committee and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, awarded this high honor to: Martha López Guzmán, of the José Martí UBPC; Luis Oscar Gálvez Taupier, of the Icidca; Graciela María Rodríguez Pérez, of the Alejo Carpentier Foundation; Antonio Gómez Delgado, of the TVC Information System and Estudios Revolución; Edilia Fuertes Díaz, of the Abel Santamaría Cuadrado Party Faculty; Miguel Ángel Franco Noa, of the General Directorate of Municipal Education in Santiago de Cuba; Magdelaine Sosa Menencia, of the Manifiesto Polytechnic Institute of Montecristi; and Luis Manuel Videaux Aguilar, of the Ernesto Che Guevara Nickel Company.
At the ceremony, which was attended by the Commander of the Rebel Army, José Ramón Machado Ventura, the title of Hero of Labor was also awarded to Carmen Rodríguez Acosta, of the Center for Chemical Engineering and Research; Tomás Fermín Pérez Rodríguez, of the José Luis Miranda Pediatric Hospital in Villa Clara; Leonardo Fernández Fernández, from the Dr. Agostinho Neto General Teaching Clinical Surgical Gynecological and Obstetric Hospital; Esteban Alfaro Diebra, from the Palmares Playa II Department; Eloy Andrés Frías Méndez and Colonel Juan Benigno Castañer Moreno, both from the Dr. Luis Díaz Soto Central Military Hospital; Jorge Luís Rodríguez Araujo, from Military Construction Company No. 3; Lieutenant Colonel Luis Alberto Cerdeiras Artiles and Lieutenant Colonel Esther González Suárez, both from the Ministry of the Interior; and Caridad Bravo Abreu, from the Jesús Cejas Arias Territorial Teaching Institution.
In addition, a group of workers and labor collectives were awarded the Lázaro Peña Order of the First, Second, and Third Classes and the Jesús Menéndez Medal.
They are distinguished by exemplary careers in various sectors, where personal sacrifice is intertwined with collective dedication. Each honoree embodies a story of quiet devotion, creative resilience, and loyalty to the principles that underpin the Cuban social project.
This recognition takes on special significance on the eve of a new day of popular reaffirmation. The call for May 1st resonates strongly in every workplace, in every collective preparing to celebrate International Workers’ Day with the certainty that the homeland is also defended through daily effort, responsibility, and unity.
Also attending the ceremony were members of the Political Bureau: Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power and of the Council of State; Manuel Marrero Cruz, Prime Minister; and Dr. Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee; as well as Osnay Miguel Colina Rodríguez, President of the Organizing Committee of the 22nd CTC Congress; and other authorities from the Party, the Government, and the country’s mass organizations.
Prior to the awards ceremony, President Díaz-Canel met with some 80 workers from the country’s essential sectors, with whom he discussed their day-to-day experiences in coping with the situation Cuba faces under the devastating effects of the U.S. blockade.
According to the Presidency’s X account, this meeting took place on the eve of May 1 in the El Laguito protocol hall, where stories were shared by those who have made resistance and creativity a way of life in sectors such as health, culture, education, energy, tourism, and others.
The Head of State highlighted the great honor of being at this gathering with those who demonstrate daily the Cuban people’s ability to overcome obstacles. He spoke of the dignity of work, which is not merely fulfilling one’s duty, but an act of commitment and patriotism.
