Raul Castro Denounces US Siege on Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua

HAVANA TIMES – Former Cuban President Raul Castro said today that the United States wants to lay siege against adverse countries such as Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, and called to “respond to every challenge,” reported dpa news.

“For us, as for Venezuela and Nicaragua, it is very clear that the fence is closing in, and our people must be alert and prepared to respond to each challenge with unity, firmness, optimism and unwavering faith in victory,” said the leader of the all-powerful Communist Party of Cuba.

Dressed in his general’s uniform, Castro spoke at the 65th anniversary commemoration of the assault on the Moncada Barracks in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, the first failed attempt by Fidel Castro to seize power.

“Once again, an adverse scenario has been created and the euphoria in our enemies resurfaces,” Castro told thousands of people gathered for the rally broadcast live on state television.

Castro referred to current relations between Cuba and the USA, as “formal diplomatic ties” and noted that the White House’s pronouncements on the island are “characterized by disrespect, aggressiveness, interventionism and the crude manipulation of historical truth. ”

Relations between the two countries have been strained since last year when Washington denounced a series of alleged attacks on its diplomats stationed in Havana, which caused them hearing loss, dizziness and other symptoms, but whose origin has not yet been identified.

The new Cuban president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, accompanied Castro with the rest of the Cuban leadership in the celebration of National Rebellion Day, to commemorate the assault on the Moncada barracks against the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista back in 1953.

“None of us who attacked the Moncada together with Fidel could dream that we would be alive 65 years later and with a free, independent and sovereign country, a socialist revolution in power with such accomplishments achieved,” said Raul Castro.