On January 1, Raúl Castro Ruz and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel led a commemorative ceremony in Santiago de Cuba marking the 65th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. The event paid tribute to Fidel Castro.

Raúl Castro acknowledged the challenges faced in reaching the 65th anniversary, citing the aggressive and adversarial actions of the US. 

It is important to note that the US has been imposing a blockade on Cuba for decades.

Castro asserted, "The policy of permanent hostility and blockade of the US Government is the main cause of the difficulties of our economy," stressing Washington's continued efforts to conceal that reality.

Highlighting the Revolution's 65-year journey, Castro emphasized the leadership's transparency and self-critical spirit, and also spoke of Cuba's innovative approaches to overcome external aggressions, natural disasters, and "our own mistakes".

Cuban people defended conquests despite blockade

In turn, the Cuban president underscored the historical significance of the revolutionary triumph, praising the Cuban people's defense of conquests despite the impact of the blockade and imperialist aggression. He called for united efforts to move forward, correct distortions, and boost the economy.

On X, President Diaz-Canel published a thread with some memorable quotes from late Revolutionary and President Fidel Castro.

#Fidel: “Esta vez, por fortuna para #Cuba, la Revolución llegará de verdad al poder. No será como en el 95 que vinieron los americanos y se hicieron dueños de esto”. (1/enero/1959)

🧵 pic.twitter.com/EEQjjeHRXV

— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) January 1, 2024

It is also important to note that the ceremony at Cespedes Park included distinguished figures such as the Commanders of the Revolution and the Rebel Army, Ramiro Valdes Menendez and Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, members of the Political Bureau, the Secretariat, and the Councils of State and Ministers, as well as leaders from various sectors.

Iran, Cuba should form coalition to counter US imperialism

During a visit by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and his delegation for a meeting in Tehran earlier in December, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, expressed the idea that leveraging the political and economic potentials of both Iran and Cuba could be harnessed to form a coalition aimed at countering US imperialism.

"These potentials and capabilities should be used to form an alliance and coalition among countries that share an approach against the United States and other Western bullying states," Ayatollah Khamenei said during the meeting.

"By focusing on economic cooperation, this coalition can take a common and effective position on important global issues such as the Palestinian issue," he added.

The Cuban President said during his meeting with Sayyed Khamenei that relations between Cuba and Iran are on the right track and we are focusing on deepening economic relations

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel noted that International organizations are watching silently the killing of thousands of Gaza residents, and this is surprising, adding that what is happening in Gaza is an "unacceptable genocide".

Díaz-Canel concluded by saying that Cuba and Iran can stand alongside each other, especially in the face of American interference and sanctions.

Read more: Cuban President: Israeli actions in Gaza amount to 'terrorism'