Friday, May 22Friday, May 22Thousands of Cubans gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Havana on Friday to protest the U.S. indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian planes operated by a Miami-based exile group. The pro-government demonstration, led by current President Miguel Díaz-Canel in military attire, was framed as an act of solidarity with Castro, who did not attend the event. Protesters condemned what they described as U.S. military threats and aggression against Cuba .
The U.S. indictment has escalated tensions between the two nations, with Cuban officials rallying around Castro as a revolutionary figure. Some Havana residents expressed a preference for dialogue over confrontation, though the government-backed protests emphasized defiance against U.S. actions .
U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have framed the indictment as part of a broader campaign to exert pressure on Cuba’s government. Rubio, a key architect of the Trump administration’s Cuba policy, has positioned the move as a step toward toppling the communist regime, which he argues threatens U.S. national security. The U.S. has raised the possibility of military intervention, with President Donald Trump suggesting he may be the leader to take direct action against Havana . Trump initially downplayed the need for further escalation but later indicated a willingness to intervene, reversing his earlier stance .
> Background: **U.S. indicts Ral Castro, escalates pressure on Cuba amid global backlash.** — *20 hours ago*
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