Cubans protest against U.S. imperialism at plaza Mariana Grajales in Guantanamo on February 16, 2025. Photo: Presidencia de Cuba
50,000 Cubans protested in Guantanamo on Wednesday in condemnation of the illegal occupation of Cuban territory. Guantanameros—Cubans from Guantanamo province, young and old, gathered with President Miguel Díaz-Canel in Mariana Grajales Plaza to denounce United States imperialism and the decades long economic blockade.
“122 years ago, under the infamous Platt Amendment, the cession of part of Caimanera was signed for the installation of a U.S. naval base,” recalled Ana Laura Campello Pérez, a journalism student and representative of the Antonio Maceo Border Brigade. “We Cubans do not accept the illegal occupation of our land.”
Established in 1961, the Antonio Maceo Border Brigade has protected Cuba’s only artificial border which separates it from the illegal U.S. Guantanamo naval base. The territory remains occupied by the U.S. armed forces and government against the Cuban people’s expressed objection and in violation of the most basic standards of international law.
“The U.S. naval base in Guantánamo is a symbol of foreign interference,” said Juana Eglis Fernández Louit, general secretary of the Cuban Workers’ Union in Guantánamo. She emphasized that the illegal occupation of Cuban territory is a “constant reminder of the struggles that still lie ahead of us.”
Yoel Perez Garcia, Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba’s Provincial Committee in Guantanamo, reaffirmed his confidence in the Cuban people’s ability to overcome U.S. aggression. Inspired by the 130th anniversary of patriotic dates such as the uprising at La Confianza farm and the landing of Antonio Maceo in Duaba, Garcia said, “history teaches us that unity is our greatest shield against adversity.”
The anti-imperialist mobilization also responded to the recent decision of the U.S. government to transfer 30,000 migrants considered dangerous criminals to the Guantanamo naval base. Cuba’s Foreign Ministry warned that this measure could pose a public risk and insecurity in the area, as well as threaten regional stability. The US-imposed economic blockade and over 240 additional sanctions and other coercive measures slapped on the island in recent years were also denounced by demonstrators.
“These policies have not succeeded in subduing the Cuban people, but rather have strengthened our determination to defend sovereignty and peace,” concluded Louit.
Earlier this week, Cuba took to the Human Rights Council in Geneva to warn of the “advance of conservative and neo-fascist platforms” and denounced that the United States government is applying a policy of maximum pressure against Cuba, deteriorating consumption, income and the standard of living of Cuban families.
In his statement before the Council, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez went on to describe the severe level of interference carried out by Washington in Cuba’s affairs:
Recently, copious evidence has been disclosed about the practice of the United States government of dedicating millions of dollars from the federal budget, through entities such as USAID and NED, to financing organizations, media outlets, artificial intelligence laboratories, and communication platforms that use the protection of human rights and the promotion of democracy as a front, while responding to the political objectives of that government.
Rodriguez went on to say that “Cuba will stand firm in its creative and selfless resistance” and will defend its sovereignty and the socialist rule of law and social justice.
With information from Cubadebate and Minrex.
