People attend a massive rally to celebrate the National Rebellion Day in Cienfuegos, Cuba, July 26, 2022. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua)
CIENFUEGOS, Cuba, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Cubans on Tuesday celebrated the National Rebellion Day with a massive rally for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cuban revolutionary leader Raul Castro and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attended the event held in the central province of Cienfuegos, located some 250 kilometers east of the country's capital Havana.
"Cuba is not alone and it has never been," Diaz-Canel said, underscoring the importance of international solidarity and cooperation with different countries, including China, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The crowd waved national flags and banners, and chanted patriotic slogans in support of the Cuban government.
Among the participants was 62-year-old Andres Sanchez, who works in the agricultural sector in Cienfuegos.
"As a revolutionary, I feel honored to be here," he said. "This country has chosen the road of socialism."
On July 26, 1953, a group of revolutionary fighters led by Fidel Castro attacked the Cuban army garrisons in the cities of Santiago de Cuba and Bayamo, paving the way for the eventual victory of the Cuban Revolution in 1959.
Wanda Gonzalez, a member of the Juan Rius Rivera solidarity brigade from Puerto Rico, told Xinhua that Cuba will continue to serve as a beacon of hope for millions of people around the world.
"I strongly believe that the Cuban people will remain united despite the illegal U.S. blockade against the Caribbean nation," she said. ■
Cuban revolutionary leader Raul Castro (2nd L, front), Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel (1st L, front) and Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero (3rd L, front) attend a massive rally to celebrate the National Rebellion Day in Cienfuegos, Cuba, July 26, 2022. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua)
Cuban revolutionary leader Raul Castro (4th L, front), Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel (3rd L, front) and Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero (5th L, front) attend a massive rally to celebrate the National Rebellion Day in Cienfuegos, Cuba, July 26, 2022. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua)
