Cuban leaders call for peace, sovereignty at Havana march for May Day

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and former leader Raúl Castro joined thousands in Havana’s May Day march, calling for peace amid rising tensions with the United States. The demonstration comes as U.S. political debates continue over possible military action and reforms in Cuba’s state-led economy.

Alien Fernandez, Mario Fuentes, Anett Rios, Anna Portella/Reuters

May 02, 2026

Cuban leaders call for peace, sovereignty at Havana march for May Day

People march while holding a giant Cuban national flag during a May Day rally in Havana, Cuba, May 1, 2026.

Claudia Daut/Reuters

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and former revolutionary leader and President Raul Castro took part in the May Day march on Friday (May 1) in Havana amid calls for peace as the U.S. pushes for reforms in the state-led economy amid threats of military intervention.

The march led by Diaz-Canel departed from Revolution Square, with participants waving Cuban flags, and signs with portraits of the revolutionary leaders.

Aerial views of the Havana seafront showed masses advancing toward the Anti-Imperialist stage, set up near the U.S. Embassy.

Trump has said "Cuba is next," without specifying what he plans to do with the island nation, but has frequently said he believes its government is on the verge of collapse.

The Republican-led U.S. Senate on Tuesday blocked a Democratic-led resolution that would have barred President Donald Trump from taking military action against Cuba without congressional approval.

-Alien Fernandez, Mario Fuentes, Anett Rios, Anna Portella/Reuters