World

Cubans gather before U.S. embassy in Havana to protest Raul Castro indictment

By Reuters Reuters
A person holds a picture of former Cuban president Raul Castro, as people gather ahead of a pro-government rally called by Cuban authorities to protest U.S. policies toward the island, including the indictment of Castro, in Havana, Cuba, May 22, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez
A person holds a picture of former Cuban president Raul Castro, as people gather ahead of a pro-government rally called by Cuban authorities to protest U.S. policies toward the island, including the indictment of Castro, in Havana, Cuba, May 22, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez Norlys Perez Reuters

HAVANA - Thousands of Cubans gathered on Friday before the U.S. embassy in Havana to protest a U.S. decision to indict former leader Raul Castro in the downing of two civilian airplanes 30 years ago.

The pro-government demonstration, which began shortly after sunrise on Havana's waterfront, comes as Cuban officials rallied this week around the island's former president and revolutionary hero.

Cuba says Castro's indictment on murder charges on Wednesday was based on "spurious" allegations designed to serve as a pretext to invade the nation amid a Trump administration push to upend the island's government.

Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero attended the rally, the 94-year old Castro did not.

(Reporting by Ayose Naranjo and Dave Sherwood in Havana; Editing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez)

People gather ahead of a pro-government rally called by Cuban authorities to protest U.S. policies towards the island, including the indictment of former Cuban president Raul Castro, in Havana, Cuba, May 22, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez
People gather ahead of a pro-government rally called by Cuban authorities to protest U.S. policies towards the island, including the indictment of former Cuban president Raul Castro, in Havana, Cuba, May 22, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez Norlys Perez Reuters
Members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces gather ahead of a pro-government rally called by Cuban authorities to protest U.S. policies toward the island, including the indictment of former Cuban president Raul Castro, in Havana, Cuba, May 22, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez
Members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces gather ahead of a pro-government rally called by Cuban authorities to protest U.S. policies toward the island, including the indictment of former Cuban president Raul Castro, in Havana, Cuba, May 22, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez Norlys Perez Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 4:41 AM.

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