(Havana) Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Thursday led a large demonstration in Havana in support of the Palestinians, during which the United States was also criticized for its support for Israel.
“What young Cubans are asking for with this march is for an end to the fire on Palestine,” Cristina Diaz, a 22-year-old student at the University of Havana, told AFP.
While emphasizing that “all the victims of this conflict are to be deplored”, she considered that “it would be naive to think that (what is happening in Gaza) is a war”. “It’s genocide,” she insisted.
Surrounded by his wife Lis Cuesta and the Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero, the Cuban president took the lead in the demonstration, launched at the call of the Communist Youth and which took place on the Malecon, the coastal avenue of Havana where the United States Embassy is located.
PHOTO YAMIL LAGE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
“What is happening in Palestine is a great injustice, a massacre,” said Javier Ernesto Borroto, 19, wearing a black and white keffiyeh.
For nearly an hour, demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and signs reading “Free Palestine,” “No to genocide.” Long live Palestine.”
“More than 100,000 Havanese” participated in this gathering, according to a count from the Ministry of the Interior published on X.
Students, pupils, as well as employees of state enterprises were called to participate in this march organized on the day of the visit to the capital of the special representative of the European Union for human rights, Eamon Gilmore.
Passing in front of the United States embassy, whose government strongly supports Israel, the young demonstrators notably shouted “Fascist Yankee, you are a terrorist”.
This is the largest demonstration organized in Cuba since the start of the war, triggered by the attack carried out on October 7 by Hamas on Israeli soil. According to the Israeli authorities, 1,200 people, the vast majority civilians, were killed. Around 240 people were kidnapped on the day of the attack.
In retaliation, Israel relentlessly bombs the Gaza Strip, where 14,854 people have been killed, including 6,150 children, according to the Hamas government.
Young Palestinians, who are studying medicine in Cuba, took part in the march. “I thank the Cuban people and government very much for always supporting Palestine,” Isaam Aldawodeh, a 22-year-old student, told AFP.