The Errors of the Foco Theory

Abstract

The concept, which is central to Regis Debray's Revolution in the Revolution?, of the subordination of the party to the guerrilla force, of the political to the military, is based on the assumption that "the revolution is formed in the struggle itself," a thesis defended by Fidel Castro. And yet no one can deny that the Venezuelan Communist Party fought with arms in hand, especially in 1963 and 1964. Today, according to Fidel, they have abandoned the struggle and taken the road of reformism. Here the logic of the argument appears to break down—armed struggle is not enough for the forging of a revolutionary consciousness.

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