Full of spirit and the memory of the country´s forefathers, since 1868, that forged the way for the long awaited independence, the Cuban people put forward the Socialist Constitution first of its type in the continent.

 
The constitution included the firm will of those who dedicated to defend and sign with its own blood if necessary the profound political, social and cultural transformations already underway.

 
No one doubted on the overwhelming popular support of the Revolution “of the humble, by the humble and for the humble”, has defined on April 16th, 1961 by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro. But it was more and more evident on the need to have a Constitution capable of making the Revolution’s achievements irreversible and set guidelines for the future.

With this objective, the following year a draft bill of the Law of Laws was submitted for a political discussion and millions of Cuban citizens made proposals that led to modifying 60 of the 141 proposed articles by the Constitutional Studies Commission.

 
An organized and reflective political process was carried out in which the people, without exceptions had the chance of freely debating.

On February 15th, a referendum was held where each citizen was able to express Yes or No, through a direct and secret vote.

 
98 percent of the people over 16 years of age went to the polls and 97.7 percent approved the proposed socialist project.

The constitution put into effect that February 24th, legally consolidated the achievements of the Revolution, endorsed the vanguard role of the working class and the Cuban Communist Party as rector institution of society.

 
It also established the socialist property over the main means of production and defined the ways and methods for exercising democracy, in addition to integrity and work of the State institutions.

 
After 35 years in effect, Cuba is an example of the State of Law, inserted in the international community with solid prestige acquired for its foreign policy based in mutual respect with all nations; contribution to the good work of international institutions and expression of solidarity.

 
Time has allowed proving on the validity of the principles contained in the Constitution and at the same time, gathering experience to allow the improvement of its economic model and democratic exercise underway across the island.
 

Cuba can say that it has been loyal and consequent with carrying out the ideals of Jose Marti established in its law of laws, constructing the Republic with “all and for the good of all”.