Thousands Gather in Havana to Honor Cubans Killed by U.S.

Thousands of Cubans gathered in Havana to express their condolences and pay tribute to the 32 Cubans who lost their lives during the U.S. attack on Venezuela.

“We’re here to recognize the bravery of those who sacrificed their lives,” said Dailene Dovale, a university professor.

“If there are 32 no longer with us, there are millions of Cubans today who are ready to follow the path of those 32,” said a Cuban doctor who previously served on a medical mission in Venezuela.

TRANSCRIPT

“Thousands of Cubans have gathered at the headquarters of Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces to express their condolences and pay tribute to the Cuban men who died during the U.S. attack on Venezuela,” said Liz Oliva, a journalist with Belly of the Beast.

“This is a moment of infinite sadness and deep pain,” said Dailene Dovale, a university professor. “We’re here to recognize the bravery of those who sacrificed their lives.”

“The country is receiving them with pride because they fulfilled their duty,” stated Deysi Medina, an accountant.

“I remember my parents telling me back in the 1980s about the terrorist attack on a civilian airliner in Barbados,” recalled Duniel Abreu, a professor of neurosurgery. “Fidel Castro, standing at that podium, said that when a strong, brave people weeps, injustice trembles. Today, that pain is felt by all Cubans.”

“Neither rain nor long lines stopped people from showing solidarity with the fallen soldiers and their families,” Oliva explained.

“Did the rain make people leave?” Oliva asked.

“No, no, no,” responded Solanch Espinoza. “You see us soaked, but here we are.”

“It’s a duty, too, because we are Cubans,” said journalist Danna Márquez. “They are our compatriots, and we owe this to them. It’s our responsibility.”

“They are my former comrades,” said Jorge Luis. “I knew many of them from civilian life. They fought like the lions they were.”

“During the ceremony, families and friends of the fallen soldiers had the opportunity to say goodbye to their loved ones,” Oliva continued.

“We feel a mix of pride and a deep pain,” said Marbelis Sánchez, sister of Orlando Osoria López.

“He didn’t die in vain,” said the father of Orlando Osoria López. “He died defending Latin America.”

“What is their legacy for Cuba?” Oliva asked Alberto Luzón, a relative of Andy González.

“That the Cuban people won’t surrender,” Luzón answered. “We will die before surrendering.”

“Orlando Osoria López was my brother, the only one I had,” Sánchez added. “He was such a good man.”

“How would you respond to statements by U.S. officials who say the Cubans who died were mercenaries sent by Cuba and were propping up the Maduro government?” Oliva asked Solanch Espinoza.

“I’ll be honest,” Espinoza replied. “They are cynics. They send U.S. troops to many countries, and all they do is destroy.”

“It is the right of every nation to collaborate for its own security,” said Teishan Latner, a history professor at Thomas Jefferson University. “Cuban soldiers were breaking no law. The claims of the Trump administration are entirely fraudulent. Cuban soldiers had every right to be in Venezuela and every right to defend it against U.S. aggression.”

“We’ve always said that we will defend Venezuela, and we’ve stuck to that,” reaffirmed Alberto Luzón.

“Internationalism is deeply rooted in the Cuban people,” he continued. “Venezuela is part of the Americas. Just as we are children of the Americas, we owe ourselves to Venezuela.”

“Cuba has a long tradition of internationalism and solidarity, not only with Latin America but also with Africa and Asia, since the beginning of the Revolution,” explained Pedro, a Brazilian historian. “That internationalism is a pillar and an intrinsic part of the revolutionary project.”

“How do you feel seeing all this popular support and this mobilization to pay tribute?” Oliva asked.

“I feel hope and faith,” Espinoza said. “Faith that the Cuban people can be counted on.”

“If there are 32 who are no longer with us today,” concluded Abreu, “there are millions of Cubans who are ready to follow in the path of those 32.”

“After their deaths, the fallen Cubans were promoted in rank,” Oliva reported.

“The remains of the 32 Cubans will be laid to rest in the Pantheon of Fallen Soldiers in their respective communities on Friday,” she added. “The funeral honors began today and are expected to last 48 hours.”