Off the wire
• Labor movement fears worsening conditions in Finland  • Roundup: Milan Expo highlights need to ensure healthy, safe, sufficient food for all  • 1st LD Writethru: U.S. stocks rise amid mixed data  • Slovak president criticises expensive energy prices  • U.S. manufacturing index holds steady in April  • 1st LD Writethru: Oil prices retreat on profit taking  • News Analysis: Egypt economy still suffers despite decline of foreign debt  • Normalizing relations with U.S. a "long and difficult road", Cuba says  • U.S. consumer sentiment rise to second-highest since 2007  • Urgent: U.S. stocks rise amid upbeat data  
You are here: 　 Home

Roundup: Cuban, Venezuelan leaders lead massive May Day rally in Havana

Xinhua, May 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

Thousands of Cubans on Friday converged on Havana's Plaza of the Revolution to mark the International Workers' Day, and show support for Cuban leader Raul Castro and his economic and political reforms.

Castro, accompanied by staunch ally Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, led the rally in the heart of Havana, which was held under the banner "United in the Construction of Socialism."

Major Cuban dailies featured images of the massive event with up to one million people participating despite grey weather and occasional showers.

Cubans dressed in red and white waved banners and chanted revolutionary slogans, reflecting an atmosphere of optimism generated by Cuba's recent political and diplomatic victories, including bringing the United States to the negotiating table after more than 50 years of snubs, and being the virtual guest of honor at the recent Summit of the Americas, a gathering it was previously not even invited to.

"This May 1 was one of the most beautiful ever celebrated in Cuba," a reader by the name of Teresita Jorge posted on the website of the Cuban News Agency (ACN).

"The rain, which fell softly on the participants, and occasionally poured down, was the first rain of the month (and) was welcome," an obviously moved Jorge added.

The general secretary of the Workers' Central Union of Cuba, Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, delivered the keynote address, and spotlighted his country's changing political status.

"Cuba shone with its own light at the 7th Summit of the Americas ... in Panama," said Guilarte, noting that "the (current) political stage is characterized by the U.S. government's recognition of its failed policy of harassment, aggression and blockade against our country."

In contrast, Cuba's "weapons have been to stick to our principles ... and the ideas the revolution forged over five decades," he added.

Guilarte also ratified Cuba's support for Venezuela, which has become Washington's new ideological battleground in Latin America.

Leading the main rally in Havana were the members of the Cuban Five, most of whom were released as part of a prisoner exchange with the United States after the two countries announced their intention in December to restore diplomatic ties. Two were already back in Cuba after having served lengthy sentences for alleged espionage against the U.S. government.

Hailed as heroes back home, the men led the healthcare workers contingent, including the doctors and nurses who helped fight the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

According to the official media, more than 2,000 representatives from 205 trade unions and social movements from 68 nations took part in the May Day celebrations. Endite