Havana, Dec 22 (NationPress) Nearly 700,000 individuals rallied outside the US Embassy in Havana, calling for an end to Washington's long-standing blockade of Cuba and urging the removal of the island from the US State Department's list of terrorist sponsors.
The march was led by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, accompanied by former president Raul Castro.
Diaz-Canel criticized the United States for maintaining the terrorist designation on Cuba, labeling it as both “false and immoral.” He further accused the US of training paramilitary groups aimed at undermining Cuba's infrastructure and criticized the Biden administration for continuing the stringent economic policies from the Trump administration.
He also condemned the US for escalating the blockade, describing it as “ruthless.”
Diaz-Canel stated that Cubans harbor no animosity towards the American populace, pledging to resist any efforts to undermine Cuba's sovereignty or socialist system, as reported by Xinhua.
“If the United States continues its efforts to break our resolve, they will only encounter rebellion and steadfast determination,”
he asserted.
The assembled crowd, brandishing Cuban flags and chanting “Down with the blockade,” represented a wide array of supporters. Among them was Yanquiel Cardoso, donning a shirt that proclaimed “Cuba sponsors peace, love, and unity,” marching alongside his son, who wore a shirt expressing a wish to “grow up without a blockade.” Cardoso criticized the “cruel and inhumane” blockade, which he claimed obstructs Cuba's progress.
A significant number of healthcare professionals participated in the protest, including Colombian medical student Silvia Juliana Casadiego, who lauded Cuba's global solidarity and condemned US sanctions.
“In spite of its limitations, Cuba always extends a helping hand -- not only to Colombia but to all of Latin America,”
she remarked.
Cuban medical student Kevin Perez underscored the negative impact of US policies on Cuba's healthcare system. “Healthcare has been one of the most affected sectors, but we will always stand to defend our homeland,”
he noted.
This protest marked the first significant demonstration in years outside the US diplomatic mission to protest the blockade.
Popular News
