Thousands of Cubans marched in Havana on Tuesday night (the 27th), in protest against the threats from the United States against Cuba during the traditional event known as the Torch March.
The protest follows remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has raised the tone of criticisms of the Cuban administration as he tries to force a deal “before it’s too late.”
The historic march always takes place on the night of January 27, the eve of the birthday of national hero José Martí (1853-1895), and has been maintained since 1953, when the then student and future Cuban leader Fidel Castro began the movement in protest against the government of Fulgencio Batista.
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In this edition, the march highlighted the theme “anti-imperialist” and was led by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who walked with the protesters along the one-kilometer route through the streets of the capital.
“This is not an act of nostalgia, it is a call to action,” said Litza Elena González, president of the Federation of University Students, interviewed by AFP.
“We may have thousands of problems, but Cubans are not afraid, though we want peace,” said worker Midgdelio Rosabal, also to the outlet.
Cuba has been the target of sanctions imposed by the United States since the 1960s, combining economic embargoes and military threats. The tensions gained a new contour with the second term of President Donald Trump and the recent actions in Venezuela.
The Caribbean country maintained, until the end of 2025, economic agreements with the government of Nicolás Maduro and was one of the buyers of Venezuelan oil. The ties were broken after Trump, on January 3, captured the Venezuelan leader and oversaw the new interim government.
