Raul Castro is absent as Cuba celebrates anniversary of key revolutionary attack

Cuba held its traditional July 26th anniversary rally in Pinar del Río to commemorate the 1953 assault on the Moncada barracks. Notably, 95-year-old former president Raul Castro was absent from the event, marking the first time in at least 30 years. No explanation was provided for his absence, though President Miguel Diaz-Canel read a congratulatory message from Castro to attendees. The annual commemoration celebrates the pivotal revolutionary struggle initiated by Fidel and Raul Castro. While Raul Castro no longer holds formal positions, his symbolic influence remains significant. During the rally, President Diaz-Canel also rejected a recent US State Department report accusing Cuba of espionage.

Cuba commemorated the 73rd anniversary of a key revolutionary attack with a rally in Pinar del Río, presided over by President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Notably absent was 95-year-old former President Raúl Castro, marking his first absence from the event in at least 30 years, with no explanation provided. Díaz-Canel read a congratulatory message from Castro and used the occasion to reject a recent U.S. State Department report accusing Cuba of espionage. The president also criticized the U.S. administration's "maximum pressure" policy and an oil embargo, which he stated has crippled the Cuban nation. The article also mentions Castro faces U.S. charges for his alleged role in a 1996 aircraft downing, which Cuba rejects.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel accused the United States of carrying out "genocide" and seeking to seize the island nation during a rally on Sunday. His remarks were a response to ongoing US pressure, including a crippling oil embargo imposed in January that has led to severe economic hardship and daily blackouts. Diaz-Canel described the US actions as "economic strangulation" and a "genocidal policy" aimed at suffocating the Cuban people and appropriating the country. The article states that this pressure has resulted in reduced workdays, halted industrial production, and shortages of water and medicine, exacerbating existing economic challenges. Several international companies have also exited Cuba amidst the crisis.