The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed his condolences for the death on Wednesday of the Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, during an attack that took place in Tehran, where the notorious terrorist went to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
"Cuba firmly condemns the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, in blatant violation of International Law and further endangering the situation in the Middle East, as well as international peace and security. Sincere condolences to the brotherly Palestinian people, family, and loved ones," stated the also first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, who also traveled to Iran for Pezeshkian's inauguration, condemned the events on his social media.
"From Iran, we firmly condemn the assassination in Tehran of Palestinian leader Ismail Haniyeh, which constitutes a blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty. This act undermines international peace and security. We express heartfelt condolences to the brotherly Palestinian people," stated Marrero Cruz.
Just a week after the massacre of more than 1,200 Israelis carried out by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, an operation in which over 250 civilians were also kidnapped, Díaz-Canel accused the Israeli government of being solely responsible for the war conflict that the massive attack triggered.
"We reiterate deep concern about the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine, a consequence of decades of Israeli practices of illegal occupation and colonization, in blatant violation of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people," Díaz-Canel said on Twitter.
Since then, the position of the Cuban regime has always been aligned with that of its allies Russia and Iran, forming a coalition in support of Hamas, cloaked in anti-imperialist and humanitarian concerns.
Ten days after the outbreak of the conflict, Díaz-Canel blamed Israel for the bombing of the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza that resulted in hundreds of dead and injured. Although the authorship of the massacre was initially attributed to an Israeli missile, later investigations cast doubt on this hypothesis and pointed to evidence indicating the possible responsibility of Hamas in the tragedy.
However, the Cuban ruler said that he condemned “in the strongest terms the bombing carried out by Israel against the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, which has resulted in hundreds of dead and wounded. We demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to these flagrant violations of International Humanitarian Law.”
The historic link between the Cuban dictatorship and the "cause of the Palestinian people" dates back to its origins and the friendship between Fidel Castro and Yasir Arafat. The Cuban regime has used the issue for propaganda purposes to emphasize its alignment with interests opposing the United States (and by extension, Israel).
"Let's make this song for life go viral," Díaz-Canel requested on October 17, 2023, from his X account, sharing the videoclip made by the television network Al Mayadeen featuring the song "Somos Palestina" by Puerto Rican Danny Rivera.
The wife of the ruler, Lis Cuesta Peraza, has also lamented on social media the situation of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. "The humanitarian situation is extremely catastrophic and unsustainable, and the siege in place, especially in Gaza and the northern provinces, almost deprives more than a million people of getting a glass of water or a piece of bread," said the non-first lady at the end of October 2023.
Days later, it was her husband who said that "the Palestinian people are living a horror today. The images of the holocaust perpetrated by Israel are hellish," and he wondered: "How long will we witness the suffering of so many children? Those who oppose the cessation of violence will have to take responsibility for so many deaths."
A month and a half after the savage and bloody incursion of Hamas into Israeli territory, Díaz-Canel illuminated the Plaza de la Revolución with the flag of Palestine and invited more than 100 young people from that country who were studying medicine on the island to the Palace.
At the end of November last year, Díaz-Canel, his wife, and the prime minister, along with other leaders, led a march in Havana for Palestine. The Cuban government leadership was seen wearing a black and white Palestinian keffiyeh and surrounded by numerous bodyguards at the propaganda event.
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