by Noemi Galban, Raimundo Urrechaga
HAVANA, May 1 (Xinhua) -- A massive May Day celebration in Cuba's capital Havana on Wednesday reflected widespread support for the government and its defense of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, despite rising tensions between the country and the United States.
Nearly a million Cubans participated in the rally, rejecting U.S. measures to intensify the nearly six-decade-old trade embargo against Havana and denouncing Washington's efforts to oust Maduro.
Raul Castro, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and President Miguel Diaz-Canel presided over the celebrations in Havana, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a "full and complete embargo" unless Cuba drops its support for Caracas.
"Neither Trump's ideas, Marco Rubio or others in the U.S. that want us to bow down will achieve that. Cuba is alive. Fidel (Castro) is with us here and we will continue to support the revolution," Joel Fiallo, a government worker in the rally, told Xinhua.
Different from the previous years, the rally did not kick off with statements by local union leaders or major political figures, but with a recording of Fidel Castro's May 1, 2000 speech outlining his revolutionary ideals.
Cuba has steadfastly backed Maduro amid attempts by Venezuela's U.S.-backed far-right opposition to overthrow his government.
Under the banner of "Unity, Commitment and Victory," similar rallies were held across the island in a show of support for Diaz-Canel who just a year after taking office faces economic troubles and intensifying U.S. sanctions, and reject for Trump's anti-Cuban stance.
The White House recently announced it was activating Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, paving the way for U.S. lawsuits over properties nationalized or expropriated by Cuba's government.
"We came to defend the freedom Cuban workers have and condemn the U.S. blockade against our country, particularly with the imposition of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act," Amelia Mendoza, a Cuban doctor, said.
Cubans usually refer to the embargo as a blockade, as it effectively blocks both U.S. companies and international enterprises from doing business with Cuba.
More than 1,400 foreign delegations from around 80 countries traveled to Cuba to take part in the celebration of workers' rights.
"We share the struggle of the Cuban people against the U.S. embargo and we are here to support them amid rising tensions with Washington," said Nicolas Capira, an Argentinian union leader.
The strong showing in Havana would serve to ratify Cuba's independence and socialism in the face of U.S. threats, Diaz-Canel posted on Twitter.
For hours, Havana's Revolution Square was the epicenter of the International Workers' Day celebrations, featuring a sea of marchers waving flags and banners, with some saying "Down with the Helms-Burton Act."
"We are here marching like the majority of Cubans are doing today, supporting the revolution, the workers, Diaz-Canel, Raul (Castro), and we are very happy to be here," Aracelys Bedevia, a Cuban journalist who went to the rally with her whole family, said.
