Why Raul Castro\u2019s Indictment Risks Further Escalation in U.S.-Cuba Tensions<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cRaul is Raul\u201d is the phrase summarizing the prevailing sentiment: Raul Castro is Cuba and Cuba must be respected. Young people, students, workers, scientists, creators, farmers and people of all ages gathered at the Tribune to demonstrate their support for the Cuban Revolution and its leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Previously, on May 20, the U.S. Department of Justice filed criminal charges against Gen. Castro for his alleged responsibility in the 1996 downing of two aircraft belonging to the terrorist organization \u201cBrothers to the Rescue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later described Castro as a \u201cfugitive\u201d from U.S. justice and suggested that Washington could have plans to enter Cuba to detain Castro and bring him before U.S. courts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo disrespect is shown to the heroes of the homeland! History and traditions are not insulted without a response! That does not happen in Cuba!,\u201d President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis new aggression has united us more and elevated the honor, dignity and anti-imperialist spirit of a people already recognized around the world for their brave resistance to any form of subordination to the empire,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The text reads, \u201cAlthough it is not yet fully dawn, 250,000 people gathered at the Anti-Imperialist Tribune, in front of the United States embassy in Havana, to condemn the new US attacks against Cuba.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn a speech from the Tribune, Gerardo Hernandez, coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), blamed the U.S. government for the Feb. 24, 1996 incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He recalled that at the time, the leader of Brothers to the Rescue, CIA agent Jose Basulto, repeatedly carried out provocations and violations of Cuban airspace with the purpose of damaging relations between Washington and Havana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWashington has no moral authority to judge anyone,\u201d Hernandez said, referring to U.S. maritime attacks that involved the destruction of 57 vessels at sea and the extrajudicial execution of nearly 200 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCuba is a people of peace and reaffirms its legitimate right to self-defense\u2026 Cuba does not constitute a threat to U.S. security. On the contrary, Cuba is a state under attack by the United States,\u201d the CDR leader said, recalling that 3,478 Cubans died and 2,099 suffered lasting injuries or disabilities as a result of acts of terrorism organized, financed, or tolerated by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Cuban people reaffirm the unwavering decision to defend their homeland and revolution. With the greatest determination, they reaffirm their absolute and firm support for Army General Raul Castro, as declared by the Revolutionary Government and as is being expressed in every corner of the nation,\u201d Hernandez said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other speakers argued that the U.S. accusations against Castro have neither legal nor moral validity, lack legitimacy, contradict international law, and violate the principles of sovereignty and jurisdiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cuba Is a Small Country but Has Experience Fighting Imperialism<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nOn Friday, legislator Mariela Castro, daughter of Raul Castro, expressed outrage over Washington\u2019s accusations against her father, who fought in the guerrilla movement that overthrew the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in 1959.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are prepared for combat. No one is going to kidnap him. I can assure you of that. Neither him nor anyone else,\u201d she told reporters after an event condemning the charges against the former Cuban president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy family, like all Cuban families, is waiting for instructions to know where we need to go under any circumstances,\u201d Mariela said, referring to the Cuban people\u2019s readiness to fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy father is very calm, watching and smiling,\u201d the Cuban lawmaker said, recalling that her father says, \u201cNo one is taking me alive. They\u2019ll get me fighting!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHere we are prepared to fight imperialism. Cuba is a small and poor country, but one with experience confronting U.S. imperialism. We know that as long as there is an anti-imperialist revolution, there will be a gigantic and ruthless enemy,\u201d Mariela stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[ SOURCE: teleSUR ]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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