Cubans celebrate a historic date of their revolution with concerns over Venezuela and their own futu

Описание: (9 Jan 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Havana - 8 January 2026
1.⁠ Mid of military personnel and people in trucks waving flags
2.⁠ ⁠Students with Cuban flags shouting UPSOUND (Spanish): “I am Fidel”
3.⁠ ⁠Students waving flags
4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Fernando Rojas, captain in the Cuban Armed Forces: ++STARTS ON SHOT 3 AND PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 5++
“We will continue to support Venezuela, we will continue to prevail, and the proof is that 32 patriots and heroes of the homeland gave their lives and did not surrender, we did not surrender, and we will never surrender.”
5.⁠ ⁠Students waving flags
6. Supporters with flags on both sides of the Malecon
7. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Teresa Pérez, local resident: ++STARTS ON SHOT 5 AND PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 8++
“I am here for Fidel, for Cuba, for Venezuela, for America, and for the world, because if we allow what is happening in Venezuela to be repeated, then we will return to the Nazi era. The world must rise up, and Cuba will always be ready.”
8.⁠ ⁠Military personnel in trucks and people waving flags
STORYLINE:
Thousands gathered along Havana’s iconic sea wall, the Malecon, on Thursday to welcome a caravan of military vehicles marking the anniversary of the entrance of the revolutionary forces led by Fidel Castro into the Cuban capital more than 60 years ago.

On January 8, 1959, Castro and his revolutionaries arrival in Havana marked the culmination of the Cuban Revolution following the overthrow of dictator Fulgencio Batista, who had fled the island on New Year's Eve.

Following the United States’ operation in Venezuela and the capture of its president Nicolas Maduro, this year's celebrations took on extra meaning.

Among the supporters on the streets on Thursday were thoughts for the 32 Cubans killed in Caracas during the U.S. attack.

“We will continue to prevail, and the proof is that 32 patriots and heroes of the homeland gave their lives and did not surrender,” said Fernando Rojas, a captain in the Cuban Armed Forces.

Students of all ages were excused from classes and stood alongside the road, waving Cuban flags and shouting “I am Fidel,” while also showing support for their closest ally, Venezuela.

Cuba and Venezuela have a long history of close political and trade relationships, with Venezuela providing the island with much-needed, cheap oil that it could not obtain from many other countries due a U.S. embargo.

Many are concerned about the consequences since Maduro's capture and with recent comments by U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump about the island.

Many, like Havana resident Teresa Pérez, were outraged by the U.S. action in Caracas.

“I am here for Fidel, for Cuba, for Venezuela, for America, and for the world,” said Pérez

AP video shot by Ariel Fernández and Milexsy Durán

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