Politics Cuba: Hundreds of thousands protest against US embargo
On Labor Day, hundreds of thousands of Cubans protested in the capital Havana against the US embargo and the threats of President Donald Trump's administration against the socialist Caribbean island. According to government figures, more than 500,000 people took part in the rally in front of the US embassy, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel and former head of state Raúl Castro.
01.05.2026, 21:11
SDA
"Our enemies have tried and tried everything. They thought they would find us defeated and resigned, but we are standing firm and resolute, with our feet firmly on the stirrups and continuing to fight," said Osnay Miguel Colina Rodríguez from the Central Union of Workers of Cuba (CTC), according to a report in the communist party newspaper "Granma".
Díaz-Canel: "Fear has no place here."
"Together and united, we demand peace and reaffirm our willingness to engage in dialog without preconditions," wrote President Díaz-Canel on Platform X. "There is no place for fear here." Trump had recently repeatedly threatened to take tougher action against Cuba and openly spoke of a possible "takeover".
USA extends sanctions against Cuba
A few hours after the rally in Havana, the US government tightened its sanctions against Cuba. According to an executive order signed by President Trump, punitive measures can now also be imposed against individuals or institutions that support the Cuban security apparatus or are linked to corruption or human rights violations in Cuba.
Cuba is suffering from the worst economic crisis in decades. The situation is exacerbated by massive energy shortages because the US government has imposed an oil blockade on the island state since January. Time and again, the power goes out for hours on end and there is a shortage of fuel, food and everyday necessities.
