Exiles in Miami march to build pressure on Cuban government

Miami, Oct 10 (EFE).- Cubans living in exile in Miami Sunday commemorated the historic declaration of independence of their country from Spain to pile up pressure on the government of President Miguel Díaz-Canel ahead of a planned Nov.15 march and a national strike on the island nation.

The supporters of the Cuban Resistance, made up of organizations from within and outside Cuba, met near the Miami airport to begin the campaign, its president Orlando Gutiérrez told EFE.

Businessmen and civic and religious leaders, and dozens of exiles participated in the event held on the day to commemorate the Oct.10, 1868 “Grito de Yara” or “Cry of Yara.”

The date marks the beginning of the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain and is one of the milestones of the rebellion.

Gutiérrez said the idea was to support the march and the so-called daily “national strike” to be observed in the archipelago nation from Nov.15 onwards without a particular day.

He condemned the alleged plan of the Cuban government to militarily stop the march promoted by Cuban artists like the playwright Yunior García.

“By calling for the military mobilization, the government has shown that it no longer trusts its mass domination. What it trusts is brute force,” Gutiérrez said.

The Miami event sent a message of solidarity to Cubans, who gathered on the island on Sunday to fast and pray for freedom.

The Miami Cubans gathered near a monument at the airport installed in memory of the Cubans who participated in the 1961 failed Bay of Pigs invasion with which the United States tried to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro. EFE

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