Cuban Leader Calls for "Response to Military Aggression"

[Global Times reporter Li Xundian, Global Times special correspondent in the United States Ding Liang] On the 16th, the Cuban people commemorated the 65th anniversary of the announcement by Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro to begin the implementation of the socialist revolution. First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel attended the event and delivered a speech. According to Cuba's Granma newspaper, Díaz-Canel reviewed the achievements of Cuba's socialist construction at the rally and urged Cubans to be "prepared" to fight in the face of invasion.

It was reported that from early morning on the 16th, a large number of Cuban citizens gathered at the intersection of 23rd Street and 12th Street in the Vedado district of the capital Havana to prepare for the commemorative rally. On April 16, 1961, Fidel Castro delivered a speech at this location, mourning the victims of the previous day's U.S. bombing of Cuban air force bases while announcing the start of the socialist revolution in Cuba. At the rally, Díaz-Canel stated that the U.S. blockade against Cuba is the main reason for Cuba's difficulties. Cuba is not a failed state, but a besieged country, a nation facing multiple blockades in economic, financial, and energy sectors, a country that is threatened but does not yield.

Díaz-Canel emphasized in his public speech that Cuba is currently at a very challenging moment, with threats reaching the level of military aggression. He pointed out that the Cuban people love peace, advocate for international solidarity and cooperation, and believe in the power of dialogue and peace, but are absolutely not afraid of hegemonic pressure and are prepared to respond to all serious threats, including military aggression.

Granma commented that in addition to issuing military threats, the U.S. has also imposed a blockade on Cuba for 60 years. After the victory of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the U.S. adopted a hostile policy towards Cuba. In 1962, the U.S. began to impose economic, financial blockades and trade embargoes on Cuba. In January 2021, the U.S. placed Cuba on the list of "state sponsors of terrorism." This year, the U.S. also implemented a new round of oil restrictions against Cuba.

According to Granma, Díaz-Canel recently stated in an interview with U.S. media that the remarks of U.S. officials reflect their provocative nature towards Cuba. He cited Cuban history to emphasize that the Cuban people have been struggling for 150 years. He made it clear that if the U.S. launches a provocative attack, Cuba will rise in self-defense, and that Cuba practices collective leadership, making any attempts against individual leaders unable to shake Cuba's determination to resist.