First Published: Workers’ Advocate, Vol. 8, No. 7, July 24, 1978.
Transcription, Editing and Markup: Paul Saba and Sam Richards
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On May 29, 1978, at 1:00 p.m. our dear Comrade David Benquis died in Paris. Comrade David Benquis was, in the hearts and minds of all its militants, the founder, organizer and great leader and guide of the Revolutionary Communist Party of Chile.
Comrade Benquis was one of the pioneers, in our country and in Latin America, of the struggle waged during the 1960’s against revisionism in the communist parties.
In the building of the first Chilean Marxist-Leninist Party, the Revolutionary Communist Party, he gave not only his political foresight but also his tenacious work as an organizer and his warm influence as an educator of the revolutionary cadres.
The ideological firmness and clarity of our Party: its inalienable political independence in confronting, on the basis of Marxist-Leninist principles, complex problems and situations; its vitality to overcome the biggest attacks by its open and covert enemies are, fundamentally, the inheritance he bequeathed us.
Comrade Benquis carried out his work with modesty, the characteristic of all genuine revolutionaries which was one of his most pronounced virtues.
With the profound honesty which characterized him, expressed in the unity between his thought and action, he dedicated his entire life to the national and social liberation of his people whom he loved deeply and served with all his heart.
Until the time he was affected by cancer, the cruel disease which led to his death amidst terrible suffering lasting over two years, he stayed in Chile leading his Party and fighting against the fascist dictatorship. He transformed his own disease into an example for his comrades and his people. He also fought with this new and cruel enemy until the end of his days without abandoning his political responsibilities – studying, counseling and discussing with his comrades and with the leaders of the fraternal parties the problems of the international communist movement and the struggle in our own country.
The loss to our Party is immense. The pain which we feel is very profound. But basing ourselves on precisely the model example of our dear comrade, we will know how to transform this pain into revolutionary strength and clarity until the final liberation of our people.
Central Committee Revolutionary Communist Party of Chile
May 29, 1978