Thousands Flood Havana's Malecón in Massive Bike Rally for Cuba's Sovereignty

Amid a U.S.-imposed oil blockade on Cuba that has caused widespread fuel shortages, yesterday thousands of students and workers took over Havana's Malecón in a pro-government rally on bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards and electric vehicles.

The gathering celebrated the anniversaries of two Cuban youth organizations.

“This march is a demonstration that we are standing firm,” said one student.

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Thousands of students and workers took over Havana’s Malecón on bicycles and electric vehicles to denounce the U.S. blockade.

“Down with the blockade!” chant participants gathered along the waterfront.

“We are commemorating the 65th anniversary of the José Martí Pioneer Organization and the 64th anniversary of the Union of Young Communists,” said Johansen Reyes, vice president of the Martí Youth Movement in Havana.

“There is a group of young people from different sectors of the capital, including education and health, who are here in defense of anti-imperialist ideas and our sovereignty,” Reyes added.

The rally comes amid a U.S. oil blockade causing severe fuel shortages.

“Participating in this march is an act of showing the world that we are standing firm,” said Marcelo Pereira, a student at the Higher Institute of International Relations.

“It is also to demonstrate, above all, the anti-imperialism that characterizes us,” Pereira emphasized.

“I’m here supporting this anti-imperialist march,” said Milen Muñoz, a Cuban inline speed skater.

“We do it with determination, especially so that this blockade finally ends once and for all,” Muñoz added.

“Youth is something you carry within. Some of us already have gray hair, but we are here reaffirming the revolution,” said another participant.

“If you had the chance to say something to President Donald Trump, what would you say?” the journalist asked.

“He’s an asshole. He’s a bad person. He wants to harm such a beautiful country,” one attendee responded.

“I’d say he is a fascist. Enough is enough with his ideas. He is truly out of control,” the participant added.

“The blockade policy, now taken to unprecedented levels, seeks to strangle our country and suffocate our people,” said Anayansi Rodríguez, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“But our people are unstoppable. They are heroic, and they have proven it many times,” Rodríguez concluded.

“If into tiny pieces my flag is one day torn, our dead will raise their arms and defend it once again,” echoes a voice among the crowd.