In a solemn display of diplomatic solidarity, Cuban mission staff assembled Monday morning under the leadership of Head of Mission Lianys Torres to commemorate personnel lost in the line of duty. The gathering transformed into a powerful political demonstration against what officials characterized as imperial aggression targeting Venezuela’s constitutional order.
Oscar Larralde, addressing colleagues as their representative, condemned Saturday’s offensive against Venezuela and the abduction of its constitutional president as a fundamental assault on national sovereignty. ‘In the face of this aggression,’ Larralde declared, ‘we reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the Venezuelan people and their legitimate government.’ The diplomat revealed that thirty-two Cuban citizens had perished on Venezuelan soil, their blood serving as testament to the profound solidarity binding the two nations.
The ceremony evolved into a historical rallying cry, with Larralde invoking the legacy of Major General Antonio Maceo, Cuba’s legendary Bronze Titan from the independence wars. He reiterated Maceo’s uncompromising principle that Cuban independence remains non-negotiable—a warning directed at contemporary ‘imperialist gentlemen’ and ‘circling hawks.’ The official channeled the warrior’s defiant proclamation that any attempt to seize Cuba would yield only ‘blood-soaked dust’ unless aggressors perished in the struggle.
The emotionally charged event culminated with diplomatic personnel singing Cuba’s National Anthem with fervent patriotism, followed by vocal acclamations celebrating Cuba, its revolutionary tradition, and current leadership. The gathering simultaneously functioned as a memorial for fallen heroes and a strategic political statement reinforcing Cuba’s alliance with Venezuela’s government amid escalating regional tensions.