Trump Shocked By New Demonstration
Large crowds gathered Friday outside the U.S. Embassy in Havana following the deaths of Cuban security personnel during a recent U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The demonstration, organized with government support, also included calls for Maduro’s release as he prepares to face trial in New York on drug trafficking charges. Maduro has long been a close ally of Cuba and a key source of energy support for the island.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the crowd, accusing the United States of using pressure tactics against foreign governments. He insisted that Cuba would not be intimidated and pledged that the country would continue resisting outside influence.
Protesters waved Cuban flags and chanted slogans criticizing U.S. foreign policy. Earlier in the week, similar gatherings were held at military facilities to honor Cuban personnel killed during the operation.
One attendee, René González, told reporters the rally was meant to show national unity and opposition to what demonstrators described as external interference. He said the event symbolized Cuba’s determination to preserve its sovereignty despite economic and political challenges.
The protest comes roughly two weeks after U.S. forces conducted a raid on January 3 at a residence linked to Maduro. The operation resulted in Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being taken into custody. Reports indicate that dozens of Cuban guards assigned to Maduro’s security detail were killed during the mission.
Since Maduro’s arrest, President Donald Trump and several Republican lawmakers have suggested that Cuba’s leadership could face increasing instability. The Trump administration has moved to block oil shipments from Venezuela, adding pressure to Cuba’s already struggling economy.
In a January 11 message on Truth Social, President Trump announced that no further oil or financial support would be allowed to reach Cuba. He urged Cuban leaders to consider negotiations, though no specific terms were outlined.
The United States has maintained an economic embargo against Cuba since the early 1960s, aimed at encouraging political reform and limiting communist influence just 90 miles from Florida’s coast. Under President Trump, enforcement of the embargo has intensified, particularly in the areas of tourism, trade, and energy.
Despite the Cuban government’s public displays of defiance, economic analysts note that shortages, inflation, and declining infrastructure continue to weigh heavily on everyday life across the island.
