Military, Police, and Public Workers Gather at Havana's Anti-Imperialist Platform in Regime-Orchestrated Rally

This past Friday, a gathering of military personnel, police officers, and public workers took place at Havana's Anti-Imperialist Platform, known as José Martí, in a pro-government rally organized by the Cuban regime. This event was a direct response to the federal charges brought against Raúl Castro by the United States Department of Justice.

Set against the backdrop of the U.S. Embassy on Havana's Malecón, the rally commenced at 7:30 a.m. and was orchestrated by the Union of Young Communists, mass organizations, student groups, and youth movements under the slogan "The Homeland Must Be Defended."

The Cira García Clinic's account on X shared images from the rally, echoing the official stance: "The Anti-Imperialist Platform is filling up because #TheHomelandMustBeDefended. #RaúlIsRaúl." However, the same account offered a critical perspective, noting, "The Cuban regime answers the charges against Raúl Castro with a state-sponsored rally of military, police, and public workers. I've lost count of how many similar events have taken place in 2026."

A leaked internal document from Havana's Electric Company highlighted the coercive nature of the mobilization. Dubbed "Indication No. 10" and signed by General Director Yusmel Gómez Ramírez, it required the mobilization of 971 workers, distributed across 41 business units, with transportation arranged from 5:00 a.m. and a dress code of blue, white, and red attire.

The directive also emphasized adhering to company dress codes, prohibiting inappropriate clothing or attire with improper propaganda. During the rally, only essential workers on 24-hour duty and the Electric Guard would work, effectively halting the regular workday for the rest of the staff.

The rally was a response to the federal indictment filed on May 20 at Miami's Freedom Tower, accusing Raúl Castro of conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, four counts of murder, and two counts of destruction of aircraft. These charges are linked to the downing of two Brothers to the Rescue planes on February 24, 1996, resulting in the deaths of Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales.

The official Cuban response was swift and coordinated. Miguel Díaz-Canel dismissed the charges as "a political maneuver with no legal basis," while Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz called them a "farce." On Friday, the Cuban Council of State and Parliament issued statements defending the former leader.

The regime also transformed workplaces across Cuba into platforms of support for Raúl Castro, a tactic mirrored in numerous state enterprises throughout 2026. This isn't the first time the UNE has mobilized its workforce for political purposes. In October 2025, the company organized rallies supporting Nicolás Maduro, even as Cuba experienced power outages lasting up to twenty hours a day.

Experts view the indictment as largely symbolic, considering Raúl Castro's age of 94, his absence from U.S. soil, and the lack of an extradition treaty between Cuba and the United States. However, the 2506 Brigade stated that prosecuting Raúl Castro "is only the initial step."