700,000 Cubans rally at US embassy in Havana against trade embargo

Thousands of Cubans, led by President Miguel Diaz-Canel and ex-leader Raul Castro, have staged a mass protest in front of the US embassy in the capital Havana to voice their outrage against Washington’s long-standing blockade on the Caribbean nation.

Local media said around 700,000 people marched outside the US embassy in Havana on Friday, demanding an end to Washington’s trade blockade and calling for the removal of Cuba from the US State Department’s so-called list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Diaz-Canel censured the United States for maintaining the terrorist label on Cuba, calling it both “false and immoral.”

The Cuban president also accused the United States of training paramilitary groups to target the island country’s infrastructure and slashed the administration of US President Joe Biden for continuing harsh economic measures from the era of his predecessor, Donald Trump.

“We are marching now to tell the US government to let the Cuban people live in peace. Down with interference!” Diaz-Canel told the crowd, denouncing the United States for intensifying the “ruthless” blockade.

Cubans hold no hostility toward the American people, he said, vowing to stand firm against any attempts to undermine its sovereignty or socialist system.

“If the United States persists in its efforts to break our resolve, they will only find rebellion and unwavering determination,” Diaz-Canel said.