Havana’s streets turned into a sea of Cuban flags Friday as an estimated 700,000 people rallied outside the U.S. Embassy, demanding an end to Washington’s 60-year economic blockade and the removal of Cuba from the U.S. list of 'state sponsors of terrorism.'
Leaders & Locals Unite
President Miguel Diaz-Canel, joined by former leader Raul Castro, called the terrorism label \"false and immoral\" while accusing the U.S. of using paramilitary groups to target Cuba’s infrastructure. \"If they want to break us, they’ll only find rebellion,\" he declared, vowing to protect Cuba’s sovereignty.
Voices from the Crowd
Yanquiel Cardoso marched with his son, whose shirt read: \"I want to grow up without a blockade.\" Cardoso called the sanctions \"cruel and inhumane,\" while Colombian medical student Silvia Juliana Casadiego praised Cuba’s healthcare diplomacy despite U.S. pressure. 🩺
Medical student Kevin Perez added: \"Our healthcare system suffers, but we’ll defend our homeland.\"
Why It Matters
This marked Cuba’s largest anti-blockade protest in years, reflecting growing frustration over tightened sanctions since 2021. Protesters criticized President Biden for maintaining Trump-era policies, calling for a new chapter in U.S.-Cuba relations. 🌎
