Havana — Tens of thousands of Cubans demonstrated on Friday in front of the US embassy in Havana to denounce the decision 32 Cuban officers were killed In Venezuela and demanding the US government to release former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
They gathered in the open-air José Martí Anti-Imperialist Plaza across from the embassy in a march organized by the Cuban government as tensions between Cuba and the United States rose in the wake of the war. American attack on January 3 On Venezuela.
The 32 Cuban officers were part of Maduro’s security forces who were killed During a raid on his house In Caracas to arrest the former leader and bring him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
“Humanity is going through something very complicated, and (the United States) is ruled by a president who considers himself an emperor,” said Rene Gonzalez, 64, one of the demonstrators.
“We must show him that ideas are more valuable than weapons,” he said. He added, “This march is a message of our unity. Independence is sacred and we will defend it with all our might if necessary.”
Echoes of the Cuban national anthem rang out at Friday’s demonstration as large Cuban flags waved in the cold wind and heavy waves crashed along Havana’s famous pier. President Miguel Díaz-Canel shook hands with members of the crowd who were wearing jackets and scarves before speaking to them.
He said: “The current American administration has opened the door to an era of barbarism, plunder, and new fascism.”
The demonstration was a show of popular power after US President Donald Trump recently demanded that Cuba do so Make a deal with him Before it’s too late. He did not clarify the type of deal.
Trump also said that Cuba will no longer live on Venezuelan oil and money. Experts say the move could have disastrous consequences because Cuba is already suffering from severe power outages.
“Nobody here gives up,” Diaz-Canel said. “The current emperor of the White House and his notorious Secretary of State have not stopped threatening me.”
Washington has continued its policy of sanctions against Cuba since the 1960s to pressure the island’s government to improve its human rights record, end its one-party communist regime, and allow democracy. Sanctions were tightened further during Trump’s presidency, strangling the island’s economy.
Diaz-Canel said: “Cuba does not have to make any political concessions, and this will never be on the negotiating table aimed at reaching an understanding between Cuba and the United States.” “It is important that they understand this. We will always be open to dialogue and improving relations between our two countries, but only on an equal footing and based on mutual respect.”
After the president’s speech, the demonstration turned into a display that Cubans call a “fighter march,” a custom that originated during the era of the late leader Fidel Castro. The crowd was led by a line of people carrying pictures of the 32 officers who were killed.
“Down with imperialism!” The crowd shouted. “Cuba will triumph!”
The demonstration was organized a day after tens of thousands of Cubans gathered at the headquarters of the Ministry of the Armed Forces To pay their respect For the killing of 32 officers.
Their remains arrived home Thursday morning, and they are scheduled to be buried Friday afternoon in various cemeteries after memorial ceremonies in all Cuban provincial capitals.
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Associated Press reporter Danica Cotto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed to this report.