More than 500,000 Cubans march in Havana to end the US blockade

The Cuban population took to the streets of the Malecón (seaside) in the capital Havana, last Friday (20), in protest against the end of the economic blockade imposed by the United States. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and Army General Raúl Castro Ruz led the march that also called for the country’s removal from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

According to the Cuban newspaper GranmaDíaz-Canel accused the current North American president, Joe Biden, of maintaining hostility against the island just like Donald Trump, who is now returning to the presidency.

Still according to the Cuban president, keeping Cuba on his list of countries that promote terrorism is arrogant, in addition to being immoral since it comes precisely from the country that most favors violent actions against the island: the United States itself.

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In his networks Canel celebrated the march of the people who resounded the cry across the ocean: “We are not terrorists. Take us off the list.”

Gracias #Cubafor once again surpassing the most fertile imagination. For that great #MarchaDelPueblo with the Army General in front. By the unanimous cry: “We are not terrorists. Get us off the list” and #TumbaElBloqueo.

Thanks for the endless inspiration. pic.twitter.com/x62Ev5I11z

— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) December 21, 2024

Defense of the Revolution

One of the motivations for the march is for President Biden, at the end of his term, to fulfill his promise to remove the country from the list of sponsors of terrorism.

Even though there are no signs to this effect, the great march that brought together more than 500 thousand people (Cuba has approximately 11 million inhabitants) demonstrates the unity of the people in defense of the Revolution and Socialism.

read more: Brazil condemns blockade of Cuba and calls for suspension by the USA

The request, more than fair, for the end of the economic blockade and the removal of the country from the list is urgent to end the suffocation that the USA exerts against the Cuban population, this being one of the longest and most comprehensive coercive actions against a sovereign State. of history.

Block

US criminal coercion against Cuba has worsened over the decades. Among the measures imposed, one of them prevents ships from other countries from docking in the USA for a certain period if they pass through Cuba. Furthermore, Cuban products or products made from raw materials from the island are prohibited from entering the US, unless they have a specific license.

But what causes the most problems for Cuba is the impediment of access to money and external financing. The USA uses its influence and votes in financial and multilateral governance organizations to hinder the Caribbean country’s access to these resources, as well as preventing the conclusion of bilateral agreements directly with other countries. They prefer not to disagree with the Americans so as not to suffer any commercial retaliation or sanctions similar to the Cubans in international organizations.

Likewise, being on the infamous list of states sponsoring terrorism requires that people and countries do not have any trade with Cuba at the risk of also suffering from an embargo.

With sanctions since 1962 through trade restrictions and difficulty in dialogue with other nations due to Uncle Sam’s government, Cuba has suffered the impact on its economy. But as was demonstrated on the streets of Havana this Friday, the defense of the Cuban Revolution remains alive.

See some of the demonstrations in Havana on the Paulista Solidarity Movement with Cuba page: