Cuba Rallies to Defend Raúl Castro Against U.S. Indictment; Daughter Vows 'No One Will Kidnap Him'

In a powerful display of solidarity, the Cuban regime mobilized thousands of citizens in Havana on Friday to protest the United States' decision to indict former President Raúl Castro. The demonstration, held directly in front of the U.S. Embassy, served as a clear message of unity and defiance against what Havana perceives as U.S. aggression and interference in Cuban affairs. This mobilization underscores the government's strategy to rally national support amidst mounting pressure from Washington.

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As long as I live, I will remain at the forefront of the Revolution, with one foot in the stirrup.

At 94 years old and a pivotal figure in Cuban history as the younger brother of the late Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro remains a symbol of the Revolution. The indictment, stemming from a Miami court's accusation related to the 1996 downing of two planes belonging to an anti-Castro group—an incident that resulted in the deaths of four Americans—has been vehemently rejected by the Cuban government. The regime views this legal action as a politically motivated attack, particularly given Castro's past role as Minister of Defense.

High-ranking officials, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, participated in the rally, standing alongside members of the Castro family, such as his daughter Mariela Castro and grandson Raúl Rodríguez Castro. Gerardo Hernández, a legislator and former spy hailed as a national hero, conveyed a message from Raúl Castro, who was unable to attend, expressing gratitude for the global solidarity. Hernández quoted Castro, stating, “As long as I live, I will remain at the forefront of the Revolution, with one foot in the stirrup,” a phrase signaling his continued commitment despite his age and current circumstances.

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No one is going to kidnap him, neither him nor anyone else. We are prepared to fight imperialism.

Mariela Castro, a prominent sexologist and legislator, addressed journalists with unwavering resolve, declaring, “No one is going to kidnap him, neither him nor anyone else. We are prepared to fight imperialism.” She dismissed the U.S. legal proceedings as impossible and a violation of both U.S. and international law, characterizing Washington's tactics as based on “lies, creating uncertainty, generating fear.” Her strong words reflect the Cuban government's narrative that the U.S. is employing smear campaigns to destabilize the island nation. The presence of Raúl Rodríguez Castro, often seen as his grandfather's bodyguard and reportedly involved in recent sensitive talks with the U.S. (including a meeting with CIA Director John Ratcliffe), adds another layer to the complex dynamics at play.

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But when I have heard that something has been mentioned to him, he smiles like an old guerrilla fighter who knows he is safe, with one foot in the stirrup and that no one is going to kidnap him.

From Cuba's perspective, as articulated by La Nación's reporting, this event is not merely a legal matter but a profound political confrontation. The government frames the U.S. indictment as an attempt to undermine Cuban sovereignty and historical legacy. The massive public turnout, chanting “¡Viva Raúl!” and “¡Patria o Muerte!” (Homeland or Death), demonstrates the regime's success in mobilizing nationalist sentiment. This contrasts sharply with how such an event might be covered in Western media, which might focus more on the legal accusations and the victims' families. Here, the emphasis is on national pride, historical continuity, and resistance against perceived foreign pressure, portraying Raúl Castro as a victim of political persecution rather than a defendant in a U.S. court.

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it is not possible that process, because it violates everything established at the legal level in the United States, although they do everything they want and even violate the Constitution.