Havana, Cuba — The streets of Havana were alive with passion and unity as around 700,000 people marched outside the U.S. Embassy on Friday. Their message was loud and clear: End the decades-long U.S. blockade and remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. 🇨🇺✊
Leading the massive rally were Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and former president Raul Castro. Diaz-Canel didn't hold back, calling the U.S. terrorist label on Cuba both \"false and immoral.\" He slammed the U.S. for training paramilitary groups targeting Cuba's infrastructure and criticized the Biden administration for keeping harsh economic measures from the Trump era.
\"If the United States persists in its efforts to break our resolve, they will only find rebellion and unwavering determination,\" Diaz-Canel declared to the energized crowd.
The sea of protesters, waving Cuban flags and chanting \"Down with the blockade!\", was a vibrant mix of citizens. Among them was Yanquiel Cardoso, proudly wearing a shirt that read, \"Cuba sponsors peace, love, and unity.\" Marching alongside his son, whose shirt wished to \"grow up without a blockade,\" Cardoso spoke out against the \"cruel and inhumane\" policies he believes hinder Cuba's development.
Healthcare workers were out in force, too. Silvia Juliana Casadiego, a medical student from Colombia, praised Cuba's spirit of solidarity despite facing sanctions. \"Despite its limitations, Cuba always extends a helping hand—not just to Colombia, but all of Latin America,\" she shared. 🤝🌎
Cuban medical student Kevin Perez highlighted how U.S. policies have impacted Cuba's healthcare system. \"Healthcare has been one of the most affected sectors, but we will always stand to defend our homeland,\" he said.
This march marked the first major protest in years outside the U.S. diplomatic mission, with Cubans standing together to denounce the blockade. The message was clear: the people of Cuba are resilient and ready to defend their sovereignty and socialist system against external pressures.
As the sun set over Havana, the echoes of chants and songs remained—a testament to a nation's call for justice and peace. ✨✊
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
