Cuban president condemns U.S embargo

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July 26 (Xinhua)

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Wednesday condemned the six-decade U.S. embargo on the island during a ceremony marking the 70 anniversary of the assault on Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes garrisons, seen as the beginning of the Cuban Revolution.

The ceremony was attended by Cuban revolutionary leader Raul Castro, senior government officials and social activists from 26 countries.

"This revolution is a constant fight against hate as well as a passionate defense of freedom, love, and happiness," he said, adding that the U.S. inclusion of Cuba in the list of state sponsors of terrorism aims to damage the Cuban economy.

Diaz-Canel also said that the current U.S. administration tries to discredit Cuba in the field of health as well as to reduce hard currency sources for the Cuban tourism sector.

First imposed in 1962, the embargo was broadened by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who put in place 243 more sanctions, including banning all flights from the United States to Cuban destinations except for Havana and capping remittances Cuban Americans can send to their families back home.

The current U.S. administration allowed airlines to resume flights to other Cuban cities and lifted the cap on remittances, but the sanctions against Cuba remain largely in place.