Cuban Revolutionary Posters and Propaganda

Cuba is a totalitarian society, so it's no surprise to see that it still advertises its revolutionary zeal on the street. 
In the form of massive posters, graphics and  revolutionary one-liners...
Interestingly, there's no other type of advertising anywhere on the island.

Onward, towards victory!
This is probably the most common catch cry seen across the island nation.
According to some sources it was used by Comondante Che in one of his many political speeches.

"This people's revolution is invincible"

A simple message: el jefe (the boss) gets about and spreads the good word, this time in Cienfuegos province

One of my all time favourite political posters.
Can't argue with this one: Fatherland, or death.
Short and to the point...

Something that few visitors to Cuba can argue against
Blockade: the largest genocide in historyThe Cubans endure, despite the blockade, but the question remains: how much better off will they be when the USA stops meddling in their lives?

One of my favourite images of Guevara.
In fact Che remains almost more of a revolutionary hero than Castro.
A foreigner (Argentinian) and a trained medical doctor, Ernesto 'Che' Guevara epitomised the ideal of the individual fighting for equality and freedom in Latin America.
Unfortunately his desire to rid Latin America of capitalist exploitation brought him directly into conflict with the USA (simply the best capitalist exploiters money could buy).
He was successful in Guatemala and of course, in Cuba, but it was his revolutionary actions in Bolivia that resulted in his betrayal and eventual murder by CIA agents.

Commander in chargeNo question as to who is the boss in Cuba...

Part of a revolutionary posted seen in the Museo de la Revolution, Havana

Tank busters
I snapped this mural - painted up the side of a four-story apartment building before I realised it was modelled from a famous photo of Castro in action during the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.

Socialism: the only guarantee of being free and independant

Another great street poster of El Che, this time in Baracoa, Eastern Cuba

Another towering figure in the revolution was Camilo Cienfuegos, whose image appears on posters and street corners almost as much as Castro's.
About Cienfuegos (who somewhat mysteriously disappeared while flying from Camaguey to Havana in October 1959, Che remarked "Camilo practiced loyalty like a religion..".

Here's a Jose Fuster mural featuring Guevara and Raul Castro

Post revolution, indeed, post Soviet era, Cuba found a staunch ally in the form of Hugo Chavez.
Here's Che and Chavez immortalised in a street mural by Havana street artist Jose Fuster

Ernesto Che Guevara given something of the Andy Warhol style image treatment

Cuban flag seen through the balcony windows of the Museo de la Revolucion

Sensationalist poster depicting Fidel Castro waving to the joyous crowds in Havana who have just learned that Battista, the Cuban president has fled the country

Close up of that same poster in the M de la Revolution

This was a poster snapped outside an office for the protection of the revolutionEvery local area has one of these offices - set up after an assassination attempt on Castro.
Essentially making the people 100% responsible for ensuring the leader's safety

Cienfuegos and CastroOutside the same revolutionary office
Castro jumping off his tank during the infamous Bay of Pigs invasion by CIA backed Cuban exiles

Along Calle Mercederes in Havana Viejo you'll find  a curious shop titled ArmeriaThis used to be a gun shop. In preRevolution times you could buy guns, ammunition and explosives over the counter. Now no one owns a gun (apart from police and army) so there's virtually no gun crime in Cuba
Today it houses Castro's personal weapons collection - including this hunting rifle set, complete with 24-carat triggers, presented to Castro by Mikhail Gorbachev...

Seen in Havana just after President Obama's visit to Cuba
Perhaps this poster herald's a new era in International relations

An interesting and very pertinent poster in the Museo de la Revolution.
Cretin's Corner pokes fun at the capitalist aspirations of Battista, Reagan, Bush senior and Junior...