The distinction was received on behalf of Fidel by Cuban First Vice President Jose Ramon Machado from the hands of the president of the Ecuadorean legislative body, Fernando Cordero Cueva, during a ceremony held at Havana’s Revolution Palace.

“The people’s revolution in Ecuador and all the ongoing process of changes and integration that we are experiencing in Latin America could hardly be conceived without Fidel and Cuba,” said Cordero Cueva.

“This is his greatest legacy: the merit of a man who teach us to never surrender, to never give up the fight, regardless of how adverse the circumstances or how powerful the enemies might be,” he added.

“This award, small compared to the colossal dimension of this man, is accompanied by an embrace from 14 million Ecuadoreans, from a grateful people that share the same principles and ideals of Cuba,” the Ecuadorean top legislator noted.
 

Cordero Cueva reiterated his country’s support of Cuba’s struggle for the release of the five Cuban antiterrorists who remain unjustly imprisoned in the United States since 1998.

Also present in the ceremony was the President of the Cuban National Assembly, Ricardo Alarcon, who said the decision of the Ecuadorean Parliament to give Fidel Castro this award is a clear expression of the friendship and solidarity bonds between both nations.