Cubans rally in Havana in show of solidarity with Venezuela

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Oct 2025 21:40

Thousands gathered in Havana to back Venezuela and denounce US policies, as Cuban and Venezuelan leaders reaffirm unity against what they call foreign aggression.

Listen

Screenshot shows Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel attending the rally alongside Pedro Infante, first vice president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, as well as diplomats and delegates (Al Mayadeen)

Tens of thousands of Cubans gathered in Havana on Friday to demonstrate support for Venezuela and denounce US meddling in the region. More than 50,000 students, workers, young people, and soldiers assembled before the equestrian statue of Simón Bolívar on President's Avenue, calling on the United States to respect Venezuela’s sovereignty.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel attended the rally alongside Pedro Infante, first vice president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, as well as diplomats and delegates attending the Third International Meeting of Theoretical Publications of Leftist Parties and Movements.

#InPictures | In Havana, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attended an event in support of the Venezuelan cause against United States interference in the region. pic.twitter.com/XSuTO1bOj8
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 17, 2025

During the event, organizers highlighted that over 4 million signatures had been collected in support of the Bolivarian Revolution, launched in Cuba in September. Díaz-Canel presented Infante with a framed portrait and a book containing the signatures, including that of revolutionary leader Gen. Raúl Castro.

“At a time when the empire and its misguided chief approve CIA covert operations against Venezuela, we express our solidarity with that sister nation and, especially, with President Nicolás Maduro,” Díaz-Canel said.

'Venezuela and Cuba will continue to defend peace'

Infante emphasized that Cuba and Venezuela are nations of peace whose citizens are targeted by US supremacism and militarism. He criticized US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for pursuing a hostile agenda toward both nations and condemned efforts to label Venezuela a narco-state or criminalize its people and migrants.

“Our people are united and aware, and we have the means to defeat any aggression. Venezuela and Cuba will continue to defend peace and the right of nations to live sovereignly. We are ready to give our lives in the name of our freedom,” Infante declared.

The people of #Cuba rallied in a show of support and solidarity with #Venezuela, amid escalating #US aggression.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel was among those participating in the demonstration. pic.twitter.com/x8TGS2rNAg
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 17, 2025

He also invoked the words of Simón Bolívar: “We are living proof that empires can be challenged. With a handful of free men, they can be defeated.”

'Whoever attacks Venezuela attacks Cuba'

Roberto Morales, a member of the Cuban Communist Party’s political bureau, warned that US military posturing in the region underestimates the determination of Venezuela and Cuba to defend their independence.

“We are one soul that does not surrender. Whoever attacks Venezuela attacks Cuba. We are one trench and one heart shared by two peoples. Nothing and no one will stop the Bolivarian Revolution,” Morales said, presenting the signatures as “the greatest and most eloquent expression of love that can be offered to a sister nation.”

The rally featured a variety of artistic performances, including Cuban singer Walner Cano performing the iconic song “Venezuela", Annie Garcés and rapper Ramon performing “Latinoamérica” with the Cuban National Choir and Revolución dance company, and improvisational poets Aramis Padilla and Luis Paz Esquivel, who condemned US greed and interventions.

Through their décimas, the poets denounced the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to far-right activist Maria Corina Machado, calling it a “staged circus” that threatens peace in Venezuela and Latin America.