Cuban President: US Indictment Attempt Against Raul Castro Unites Cubans

HAVANA, May 22. /TASS/. The US government's attempted indictment of one of the leaders of the Cuban Revolution, Raul Castro, just days before his 95th birthday has only united Cubans, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has stated.

"Raul embodies heroism, dignity, and a profound love for people," he wrote on his page on the social media X. "The fragmented and cruel North, which devalues us, in its attempts to divide us, has only strengthened our bond," Diaz-Canel noted. "Several days before Raul's 95th birthday, the attempted indictment of the army general became an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate his birthday early." Raul Castro will turn 95 on June 3.

"The country that harbors the most notorious terrorists on this continent, who have operated against Cuba for years, continues its empty rhetoric, calling us sponsors of terrorism, without providing a single shred of evidence and despite the overwhelming condemnation of the international community," the Cuban president wrote in another post on X. "All of this is part of a rapidly escalating media campaign to justify military aggression against Cuba," he noted.

"We reiterate that Cuba does not threaten, challenge, or provoke the United States or any other country in the world," Diaz-Canel emphasized. "Cuba is a peaceful country." He also noted that the people and armed forces "have a long tradition of struggle, resistance, and victory." "This time, it will be no different," he promised. "Nevertheless, we continue to believe that reason, dialogue, and peace will prevail," the Cuban president emphasized.

Early on Friday morning, a protest took place in front of the US embassy in Havana to condemn the US government's indictment of Raul Castro. Organizers told TASS that more than 250,000 people participated in the demonstration. The demonstration, organized by the Union of Young Communists, was led by President Canel.

On May 20, US authorities indicted Raul Castro. CBS News reported that the charges may be related to the 1996 incident in which the Cuban Air Force shot down two planes belonging to the Miami-based ·migr· organization Brothers to the Rescue. The television network clarified that earlier this year, the prosecutor's office in the US state of Florida reopened the investigation into the case. Cuban authorities strongly condemned the charges and stressed that they lacked any legal basis.