Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and former leader Raul Castro paid their respects to 32 Cuban soldiers who were killed in a US attack on Venezuela earlier this month. The remains of the soldiers arrived at Havana's international airport early Thursday morning, draped in the Cuban flag.
President Diaz-Canel has hailed the soldiers as heroes, saying they "heroically fell in defense of the sovereignty of a sister nation." He added that the US will never be able to buy the dignity of the Cuban people. Interior Minister General Lazaro Alberto Alvarez also expressed gratitude for the soldiers who fought until their last breath during the January 3 US military attack on Caracas.
The event was attended by thousands of Cubans, many of whom lined up outside the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces to pay their respects and wave flags in support of the fallen soldiers. The remains were later transferred to the armed forces ministry along one of Havana's main boulevards, where they received further tributes from residents.
Tensions between the US and Cuba have escalated this week over President Donald Trump's comments on Venezuela, which included threats to cut off oil shipments unless Havana makes a deal before it's "too late." The Cuban president has responded by saying that his country will defend its homeland "to the last drop of blood."
The situation in Venezuela remains volatile, with President Nicolas Maduro being held in the US on drug-related charges that he denies. A rally is planned in front of the US embassy in Havana to protest Trump's administration's operation in Venezuela.
As the situation continues to unfold, it's clear that Cuba will not back down in its defense of its sovereignty and relations with other nations will need to be built on a foundation of mutual respect and international law rather than hostility and economic coercion.
President Diaz-Canel has hailed the soldiers as heroes, saying they "heroically fell in defense of the sovereignty of a sister nation." He added that the US will never be able to buy the dignity of the Cuban people. Interior Minister General Lazaro Alberto Alvarez also expressed gratitude for the soldiers who fought until their last breath during the January 3 US military attack on Caracas.
The event was attended by thousands of Cubans, many of whom lined up outside the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces to pay their respects and wave flags in support of the fallen soldiers. The remains were later transferred to the armed forces ministry along one of Havana's main boulevards, where they received further tributes from residents.
Tensions between the US and Cuba have escalated this week over President Donald Trump's comments on Venezuela, which included threats to cut off oil shipments unless Havana makes a deal before it's "too late." The Cuban president has responded by saying that his country will defend its homeland "to the last drop of blood."
The situation in Venezuela remains volatile, with President Nicolas Maduro being held in the US on drug-related charges that he denies. A rally is planned in front of the US embassy in Havana to protest Trump's administration's operation in Venezuela.
As the situation continues to unfold, it's clear that Cuba will not back down in its defense of its sovereignty and relations with other nations will need to be built on a foundation of mutual respect and international law rather than hostility and economic coercion.
It seems like Trump is just trying to stir up some drama, you know? Like, who tries to threaten oil shipments over Venezuela? That's just gonna push Cuba closer to Russia or China, and that's not good for anyone 
I mean, I get it, the guy's got a thing about Venezuela, but can't he just leave Cuba alone? It's like, we're already dealing with enough problems in our own region, what do we need Trump's drama on top of that?
That's some intense stuff right there. I'm glad President Diaz-Canel is speaking up for Cuba's sovereignty, but at the same time, can't we all just get along? It feels like we're stuck in this perpetual cycle of tension and aggression... sigh.
, Diaz-Canel is just trying to gain some sympathy from his fellow socialist buddies 
, Cuba's always gonna be all like "us against the world" 
? Maduro's drama is just a distraction from the real issue - the US has been trying to strangle Cuba's economy with sanctions and now they're threatening Venezuela too? that's not leadership, that's just desperation 
.
! Cubans have been through enough with the US for decades and we won't be pushed around anymore 
. And can we talk about how messy this situation in Venezuela is? 
. We need to stand up for our friends and allies, not try to exploit them 
.
? I'm loving how the US is playing hero now after their "attack" on Venezuela 
. President Diaz-Canel is totally right, the US can't buy the dignity of the Cuban people 
. And now they want to cut off oil shipments? That's like, basic human rights, dude 
.
. And now people are planning a rally against the US embassy in Havana? That's what I'm talking about! 
. Until then, we'll just have to sit back and watch this drama unfold 
.
President Diaz-Canel is literally speaking from the heart, giving those fallen soldiers the respect they deserve 
. And honestly, who can blame Cuba for defending itself? The US has been super aggressive lately, threatening oil shipments and all that 
. I'm all about mutual respect and international law - it's about time we got our act together as a global community 
. And btw, I love how the Cubans came out in full force to show their support for the soldiers 
. We need more of that kind of unity and solidarity, not drama and hostility 
.
, paying their respects to those brave soldiers who fought for Venezuela. It's not often we see world leaders showing unity and solidarity, especially when it comes to our southern neighbors 
. What I don't get is why the US has to make things so complicated with all these threats and whatnot 
. First it's Trump threatening to cut off oil shipments, now he's all up in Cuba's grill again... when will they learn? 
But, I mean, can't we find a way to resolve our differences without resorting to threats and aggression? It feels like the US is trying to exert its influence over Venezuela again, and Cuba's getting caught in the middle. 
It feels like we're missing an opportunity to work together and find a solution that benefits everyone. 
and cuban president diaz-canel seems like he's not afraid to speak up 
for his country's rights. but at the same time, i hope there isn't gonna be any major escalation in tensions between cuba and the us 
i feel bad for president diaz-canel having to deal with all the tension between us and cuba right now... it's like, we're already dealing with our own school stress exams without this international drama 
how are people supposed to focus on their studies when there's all this politics going on 
i think we need to think of a way to resolve our differences peacefully, like, instead of threats and hostility, let's try diplomacy 
and I love how he's standing strong against the US threats, our country needs people like him who are willing to fight for what's right 