General Program of the "Cuba First" Movement

Introduction.

The “CUBA PRIMERO” Movement is established as a political movement in terms of the need to elaborate a government program that will serve as a motivation and guide to inspire the struggle for the liberation of, first, Cuba and then as a founding mechanism for the consolidation of democracy in our country.

“CUBA PRIMERO” as a movement focuses its priority on the liberation of the country from the clutches of the totalitarian regime, while laying the foundations for the establishment of democratic governance mechanisms.

The “CUBA PRIMERO” Movement does not discard any effort for the liberation of our homeland, and at the same time supports and is in solidarity with any effort made by any other organization or group. Always in accordance with the Marti's doctrine of joining together as the word of order.

The “CUBA PRIMERO” Movement assumes its historical responsibility to fight for the liberation of Cuba until it is achieved and to actively participate in the reconstruction of the country. It also recognizes the right of all Cubans to participate in the political, economic and social life of Cuba, regardless of their place of residence or their migratory status, without any postulate that limits it.

Statement of Principles.

The “CUBA PRIMERO” Movement is a political organization that relies on popular sovereignty to implement its government program.
Which promises to restore the Constitution of 1940, as applicable. Only a Constituent Assembly may amend or draft a new constitution or Social Pact, so long as any act to the contrary, or not contemplated therein, is unconstitutional. The Constituent Assembly, within the first six months, shall amend the opportune articles to adapt the aforementioned Constitution to this political program.
That it presents a government program based on the needs and prerogatives of the demands and aspirations of the institutions of the authentic and independent Civil Society, as catalyzing elements of the needs and aspirations of the Cuban people that they represent and that are in constant experiences with our people.
The Movement “CUBA PRIMERO” (CUBA FIRST), in power, promises to establish a national control system that avoids corruption. Avoid handling of public funds at discretion. Fiscal accountability for all persons and entities legally recognized in the country.
To implement a government program sufficiently comprehensive to the satisfaction of the population. It is not the ambition of a group to form a government, but the very aspiration that such a program be fulfilled, under the responsibility and will of a government capable of doing so.
To turn Cuba into a prosperous country, with citizen security and assured governance. With democratic culture and functional mechanisms to avoid making old or new mistakes. Because men pass and peoples will always be left as a result of their good or bad deeds and it is necessary to ensure the continuity of what has been achieved.

Doctrinal Platform of the Movement “Cuba First”.”

The “CUBA PRIMERO” Movement is based on Marti's Doctrine as a basic foundation, which proclaims: “With all and for the good of all” so that the “first law of the Republic is the worship of Cubans to the full dignity of man”. This is the only way to achieve respect for all freedoms.
The Doctrine of the “CUBA FIRST” Movement (Economic Independence, Political Freedom and Social Justice) will be the Structural and Spiritual Guide of our line of work. It contains the hope and faith of a cause that has not yet found its place among the Cuban people and that the “CUBA FIRST” Movement makes its own and commits itself to reorient it in the historical context that corresponds to it.
The “CUBA FIRST” Movement is committed to rid Cuba of all harmful ideology, starting with communist ideology. Therefore, it makes illegal all totalitarian ideology, whether communist, socialist or similar, and also its promoters such as the Communist Party, Socialist Party or its derivatives.
For better interpretation, the “CUBA PRIMERO” Movement declares itself in favor of the free market, free enterprise and unrestricted respect for private property. Therefore, it conforms to all values and is defined as a conservative movement.

In Politics:

Absolute freedom to exercise the political activity of all persons and institutions, recognizing the right of all political parties, except those outlawed, to organize and exercise their work without interference from any existing power.

The government will not interfere in the work of civil society, academic and professional organizations.

The holding of periodic elections for all public offices at the different levels of administration in the country, with time limits for all positions, including the presidency of the republic.

Eliminate from the Penal Code the classification of political crime. Any action against internationally recognized democratic norms or that harms the interests of society has no right to be considered a political crime.

De facto, the political police and all the State Security Organs will disappear as a mechanism of political persecution or as an arm of force that conspires for the judicialization of political activity.

State education centers may not promote partisan politics, gender or any doctrine that deviates from the academic materials approved by the education system.

In Military:

A regime for more than 66 years disturbing the peace of all democratic countries in the region with total impunity, justifies eliminating the Armed Forces. Therefore, abolish immediately also the Compulsory Military Service.

A National Guard will be appointed, which will provide support in case of natural disasters, disasters, high impact accidents or social unrest, which do not comply with the freedoms guaranteed by a fully authentic democratic system, in accordance with international standards.

The National Guard, as its name indicates, will be at the service of the nation and will not respond to political or partisan interests. And it will be linked to the Executive Branch only to exercise the activities inherent to its functions.

A Border Guard force will be deployed, whose main function will be to protect the borders, control drug trafficking and the illegal entry of persons for harmful purposes into the country.

Any irregular military corps such as mountain militias, militias of territorial troops or any other grouping that serves to control, intimidate or repress the population is eliminated. In short, irregular forces under any denomination will not be allowed.

No military force shall be prepared or formed to participate in military actions outside the country. No military pact or agreement shall be signed with any military institution of a foreign country, taking into account that there shall be no regular army.

Police:

The police will be responsible for maintaining public safety and enforcing the law.

However, it will not interfere in the country's economic activity, nor will it be empowered to seize products, unless seizure is required by a judicial proceeding.

Economic freedom:

Cuba ranks 176th in the Global Index of Economic Freedom, followed only by Venezuela and North Korea in the list of 178 nations.

It should be a goal of democracy in Cuba to reach in the shortest possible time a decent place in that fundamental list, such as economic freedom.

A prestigious place in this list is reached by liberating the economy in all aspects. The market is the regulator of everything and there will be no interference from the authorities to stop the free market.

Market freedom includes free import and export without state interference.

The commercial activity will have a grace period, where no taxes will be paid and no regulatory permits will be required. It will be possible to sell freely on public roads and open all types of businesses, only complying with safety and hygiene standards.

Absolute market freedom; the slaughter and sale of cattle, the commercialization and transfer of agricultural products such as coffee, cocoa and any other agricultural product may not be prohibited.

The relationship of the private sector with the state sector in terms of financing programs and services has to seek a new form of interaction so that the profitability of the private entity is not at the cost of misleading or manipulated billing.

On privatization:

Cuba's economic and social system is based on the exercise of private property.

The political stabilization of Cuban society requires the fair recognition of existing and confiscated properties.

Confiscated properties and the awarding of new properties must comply with a bidding process.

All properties granted by the Cuban regime are subject to review, including SMEs.

All tourist facilities of foreign corporations will be subject to review and rehiring in appropriate cases.

About the land:

We will proceed to regularize all productive lands in the country, creating the premises to privatize all lands in the hands of the State. All lands in usufruct will be immediately recognized as property after a bidding process.

Agricultural Production Cooperatives (CPA) and Basic Units of Cooperative Production (UBPC) may declare themselves autonomous, without any state control or regulation.

The lands confiscated by the Revolution will be returned to their rightful owners.

The lands that are in the hands of the state should be placed under the corresponding administrative jurisdiction, in order to comply with the corresponding bidding process for their privatization and to define the importance and interests as social patrimony of the community where they are located.

The norms for the extension of land to be transferred from the state sector to the private sector will be dictated, in accordance with the interests of the project to be developed.

Land considered forest reserves or located in water basins, including riverbanks, seas or others, will be protected by the State.

About the health system:

The Public Health System will be maintained and the private health service will be incorporated, in all its modalities, including all the services of Pharmacies, Laboratories, Diagnostic Centers, Special Care Centers and Special Transportation, which does not include the emergency service, which will be maintained as a public service, with paramedical staff, using the latest technology and resources, with assistance throughout the national territory, including rural areas.

Large agricultural and industrial conglomerates will be able to have a health service financed by their workers.

Health insurance will be implemented and will be subject to a thorough review. A Social Security insurance will be contemplated, but a type of modality that does not lend itself to legal fraud or corruption will be studied.

A special fund or budget will be allocated for those patients who need to be treated in more developed countries because the necessary technology is not available in Cuba. The management and coordination of each case is the responsibility of the Foreign Relations Service.

About the education system:

Public education will be maintained at all levels, completely free of charge, up to the university level, which will have its own regulations, while private education will be incorporated.

The national education system will maintain a rigid academic policy, which will not allow the implementation in any of its institutions of content that does not conform to the academic subjects.

It absorbs the reeducation of minors, from infants up to 12 years of age, coming from the Ministry of the Interior. The program will be managed by the Ministry of Education and Non-Governmental Organizations, which will maintain all the norms and prerogatives of the national education system.

Transportation and infrastructure:

The concept of state transportation, reserved only for official state vehicles, is eliminated. All transportation must be private. The fleet of public service vehicles must be replaced within one year, and vehicles that do not comply with road safety standards must be progressively withdrawn from circulation.

The free importation of motor vehicles will be allowed, in the case of cars up to 10 years old. In the case of heavy and cargo equipment, there will be no expiration limits.

Emphasis will also be placed on the development of the railroad system, giving its operation to private capital, through competitive bidding.

As for air transportation, Cubana de Aviación is eliminated as a state-owned entity and its privatization will be channeled.

Maritime transport will be privatized in its entirety.

In the case of infrastructure, priority will be given to the completion and repair of all existing roads, prioritizing the national highway. All bridges will be inspected to ensure road safety.

Housing: A program for the titling of all housing in the country will be implemented. The concept of housing in usufruct, both free and honorary, will be eliminated.

Priority will be given to supporting private companies that produce construction materials, and loans will be granted for the repair and construction of homes through their own means.

Priority will be given to the resettlement of all homes located in areas at high risk of natural disasters.

Tourism: The entire tourism sector will be privatized, renegotiated with foreign corporations and decisions will be made accordingly.

Sports: High performance and professional sports will remain in the hands of their respective associations and confederations, which will be totally independent. Developmental sports will be carried out through the national education system.

In judicial matters:

The judiciary, as part of the separation of powers, must be totally independent, none of its functions may be subordinated to the other powers. All positions must be granted by public suffrage. The Prosecutor or Attorney General is not part of the executive as Minister of Justice.

The jury system shall be mandatory for all cases not considered as a contravention. However, the jury must be composed of competent and qualified persons according to the case in question.

Positions in the Judiciary can never be by recommendation or approval by a political entity.

The Penal Code may not include crimes typified as political offenses, or masked under concepts that limit fundamental freedoms. Nor may the death penalty be invoked for political ideals or ideological positions.

A special legal department will be created, attached to the Ministry of Justice, which will be in charge of all legal proceedings related to minors under 18 years of age.

All convictions for political and economic crimes will be immediately exonerated. All sentences issued by the regime will be reviewed within 2 years for the revaluation of convictions.

The electoral system:

The electoral system must be part of the Judicial Branch, that is, of the Justice System, without any dependence on the administrative system of the Executive Branch.

The electoral process must be shielded from any form of fraud. The elections must be under the supervision and control of all the political forces of the country, from the base to the general totalization of the votes.

The Electoral Council must be elected from the base by popular vote. The president and vice-president of the National Electoral Council must be elected in the same presidential process and for the same period.

Presidential elections must be conducted through political party primaries and a two-round runoff of the two finalist candidates.

Political parties must present a government program in order to participate in an electoral process. The basic points must be part of a Governance Pact to be fulfilled within the stipulated presidential term. In the first third of the term of office, an accountability must be presented to the Legislative and Judicial Branches, in order to measure compliance. In the event of serious premises of incompetence or manifest impossibility to comply with the Governance Pact, a process of presidential disqualification should be initiated.

Labor:

A Labor Code must be drafted, which contemplates the basic rights of workers, without detriment to corporate law.

Unionism cannot turn workers into hostages against employers and business owners.

Cooperatives should have a modern cooperative relationship among members, based on the roles and responsibilities of the members. In addition, other types of associations should be introduced, such as solidarity-based associative enterprises.

All those workers who were forced to emigrate will be entitled to the funds and time accumulated for their retirement or pension, when applicable.

External relations:

The Cuban government, as a democratic government, will not maintain relations, economic, political, etc., with dictatorial governments of any kind, including totalitarian regimes.

The government will not promote or support commercial relations with the countries mentioned in the previous paragraph. However, under the free market, entrepreneurs retain their right to free trade.

The Cuban government will not support in multinational organizations governments or resolutions that violate the Universal Charter of Human Rights.

The Cuban government will carry out an analysis of the historical behavior of the different governments and international organizations with respect to their cooperation with the communist regime of Cuba and will act accordingly, including with respect to economic debts due to political and ideological interests.

In all other aspects, it will abide by all international standards in force and will work for all Cubans, no matter where they are, without discrimination of any kind.

General:

The country must be governed by a Social Pact, with fundamental rights. There is no need for a schedule of conditions that are administrative rights, which must be governed and protected by law.

JOIN THE CUBA FIRST MOVEMENT AND BE A PROTAGONIST OF CHANGE. TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD A FREE AND DIGNIFIED CUBA WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.

CHANGE STARTS WITH YOU. JOIN US!

Armando Labrador
President and Founder
www.CubaPrimero.org