Hundreds of Russians celebrate Fidel Castro's centenary in Moscow

Hundreds of Russians gathered in Moscow, waving Cuban flags and carrying red flowers, to commemorate the centenary of Fidel Castro's birth. The event, held before a statue of the Cuban revolutionary leader, evoked nostalgia for Soviet times. Gennady Zyuganov, leader of the Communist Party of Russia (PCR), hailed Castro as a model and example, particularly in "difficult times" and for achieving victory over "the most evil forces of history." His remarks, tinged with electoral undertones for the upcoming September parliamentary elections, also recalled the U.S. presidents who attempted to undermine Castro. Zyuganov emphasized Castro's resilience, stating, "He defeated them all, he showed us the example of how to fight, live, and win." Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov also attended, highlighting Castro's "historical stature" and the "strategic alliance" between Havana and Moscow. Ryabkov described Castro as a symbol of a multipolar world order and a precursor to the path toward liberation from "imperialist shackles." He strongly condemned the U.S. blockade against Cuba, calling new restrictive measures a sign of American "impotence" and expressing "unwavering solidarity" with the Cuban people. The monument in Moscow is one of the few statues of Castro worldwide, as he had forbidden such honors during his lifetime.

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For us, Fidel Castro is a model and an example to follow (...) in these difficult times, to achieve victory over the most evil forces of history.