Cuba marks July 26 anniversary as major holiday

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Cuba marked the anniversary of Fidel Castro's first armed uprising 62 years ago on Sunday with calls for an end to the US embargo and the return of the US naval base at Guantanamo.

Cuba sent a defiant message to Washington, stating the new restrictions imposed by US President Donald Trump will not bring about political change on the island nation. The message came on July 26th, noted as the most important date in Cuba’s political calendar, with a mass rally every year attended by top officials..

This event marked the 64th anniversary of Fidel Castro's first military operation at a rally in the western province of Pinar del Rio and it sent a clear message to US President Donald Trump that his attempt to bring about political change by tightening the embargo will fail.

"We reaffirm that any strategy that intends to topple the revolution, either though coercion and pressures, or resorting to subtle methods will fail," said Vice President Machado Ventura.

This year will be the first July 26 rally since former Cuban leader Fidel Castro passed away, and will be the last rally that Raul Castro will preside over as President. Raul is due to step down early next year though he will retain the position as head of the country's Communist Party.