Press Release. Embargoed - For Immediate Release





Manchester meeting - Sunday 24 February, 2pm, Mechanics Institute,
Princess Street, Manchester.


[Photos and interviews available.]




Between 21 February and 7 March 2008, Rock around the Blockade will
host a national speaking tour of Britain with representatives of three
generations of the Cuban Revolution: Orlando Borrego (deputy to Ernesto
‘Che’ Guevara and his closest collaborator from 1959 to 1965), Jesus
García, from the Institute of Philosophy, delegate to the Municipal
Assembly of Peoples’ Power and author of several books on socialism and
democracy; and Yoselin Rufin one of the leaders of the Federation of
University Students. The tour is sponsored by, among others, the
National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) - see
website for full list of sponsors.



‘Orlando Borrego is so identified with me all that is missing is for
him to get asthma and we would be the same person’ – Che Guevara, Bolivia
1967.

Between 21 February and 7 March 2008, Che Guevara’s closest comrade from
Cuba will be touring Britain, speaking at meetings organised by the campaign group Rock Around the Blockade.

Orlando Borrego, now aged 71, worked with Che in the Ministry of
Industries from 1959 to 1964. Since then Borrego has continued in the
leadership of the Cuban government, today serving as adviser to the
Transport Ministry. He frequently travels to Venezuela where he gives
seminars to the National Assembly, economists and policy makers on Che
Guevara’s approach to economic development.

Borrego will be accompanied on the speaking tour by Jesus Garcia,
philosopher, elected local government representative and author of five
books on socialism and democracy, and by Yoselin Rufin, a young woman
leader of Cuba’s Federation of University Students.

Representing three generations of revolutionary Cubans, these speakers
will travel from London to Glasgow, speaking to audiences in schools,
universities, community centres, trade unions and even the House of
Lords. The inaugural event is hosted by the Venezuelan embassy in Bolivar
Hall. See website for details of this and other meetings. The tour
is sponsored by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport
Workers (RMT).

Helen Yaffe from Rock around the Blockade said: ‘This tour takes place
at a fascinating moment in Latin America. The relationship between Cuba
and Venezuela is reshaping the continent. Che’s influence can be felt in
the revolutionary upsurge and this tour provides us with a chance to hear
about it first hand.’