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Cubans gather before US embassy in Havana to protest Raul Castro indictment
Thousands of Cubans gathered on Friday before the U.S. embassy in Havana to protest a U.S. decision to indict former president Raul Castro over the downing of two civilian airplanes 30 years ago.
Thousands in Cuba rally for Raul Castro to protest US indictment
NewsFeedThousands of people are protesting outside the US embassy in Havana to show their support for Raul Castro. That’s after the US filed criminal charges against the former president over his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two civilian planes, operated by a Cuban-American exile organisation.Published On 22 May 2026
Thousands of Cubans protest against US Castro indictment: 'Viva Raul'
Thousands of Cubans gathered in front of the U.S. embassy in Havana on Friday morning to protest a decision to indict former President Raul Castro in the downing of two civilian airplanes 30 years ago.The pro-government demonstration, which began shortly after sunrise on Havana's waterfront, comes as Cuban officials rallied this week around the island's revolutionary hero amid spiraling tensions with the United States.Cuban authorities organized the rally, and participation was encouraged among state employees. Government workers in Cuba are often expected to attend official demonstrations, a common practice since the 1959 revolution....The gathering reflected broader political mobilization that has characterized Cuban state ritual in recent weeks, including May Day observances on May 1, when state-organized rallies are traditional across the island.The 94-year-old elder statesman was not present.Castro's Family and Officials Show SupportCuban lawmaker Gerardo Hernandez, a national hero and former spy, conveyed a message on Castro's behalf, stating the former leader would "remain at the forefront of the revolution, with one foot in the stirrup."Thousands of Cubans waved flags during the nearly hour-long rally beside a calm sea just 90 miles from U.S. shores, chanting "Viva Raul!" and "Patria o Muerte (Homeland or Death)!"..................1 of 6President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero attended the rally, as did several of Castro's family, including daughter Mariela Castro, son Alejandro Castro and grandson Raul Rodriguez Castro.Rodriguez Castro, known in Cuba as "Raulito" or "El Cangrejo," ("the Crab") often serves as his grandfather's bodyguard and met last week with CIA Director John Ratcliffe during a rare visit by a U.S. spy chief to Havana.What Happened and Why Is Raul Castro Being Charged?Cuba says Castro's indictment on murder charges was based on "spurious" allegations designed as a pretext to invade as President Donald Trump's administration pushes to upend the island's government.The indictment, handed down Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Miami, charges Castro with murder related to the February 1996 downing of two civilian planes piloted by exiles from the organization "Brothers to the Rescue."Cuba argued the shootdown was justified. The island said the planes had repeatedly violated Cuban airspace more than 25 times between 1994 and 1996, and that it had formally notified the U.S. State Department, the Federal Aviation...
Díaz-Canel joins thousands protesting Raúl Castro indictment in front ...
HAVANA (WSVN) - Furious over the indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, government officials in Cuba held a demonstration in front of the U.S. Embassy in Havana.Top Cuban leaders were also present at the early Friday morning rally, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel. However, Castro was nowhere in sight.Organizing the event came with its own challenges, as the island nation is in dire need of oil and gas, something the Cuban government does not have.But the rally underscores how upset this government is over their former leader, still by many accounts the most powerful person on the island, being targeted by the U.S. justice system.Ever since the indictment was announced Wednesday at Miami’s Freedom Tower, Cuban officials have been vocal on the matter, saying there’s absolutely no way Castro is going to appear in a Miami courtroom to face charges in connection to the 1996 Cuban military attack on two planes from the Brothers to the Rescue group that left four men dead: three U.S. citizens and a legal U.S. resident.The victims were Armando Alejandre, Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario Manuel de la Peña, and Pablo Morales.The Cuban regime’s leaders have said the country will resist militarily if it has to and is simply not going to stand back and allow such a key figure like Castro, who turns 95 in June, to be taken by the U.S.As the situation grows more intense by the day, the U.S. moved a Navy aircraft carrier into the region.Speaking with reporters, President Donald Trump dismissed the idea that the ship’s arrival is intended to intimidate Cuba’s government.“No, not at all. The Cuban, look, it’s a failed country. Everybody knows it. They don’t have electricity, they don’t have money, they don’t have really anything, they don’t have food,” he said. “We’re going to help them along, and we’re going to help them because the people, because number one, I want to help them on a humanitarian basis, but we have the Cuban American population, much of it living in Miami and Florida.”Meantime, concerns are growing among Cubans that the U.S. could try to pull off a similar operation like the one used to aprehend ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Cuba has vowed to resist that.Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that it’s unlikely the U.S. and Cuna will reach a deal. Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to y...
