Cubans gather before US embassy in Havana to protest Raul Castro indictment

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HAVANA, May 22 (Reuters) - Thousands of Cubans gathered on Friday morning before the U.S. embassy in ‌Havana to protest a U.S. decision to indict former president Raul Castro in the downing of two civilian airplanes 30 years ago.

The pro-government demonstration, which began shortly after ​sunrise on Havana's waterfront, comes as Cuban officials rallied ​this week around the island's revolutionary hero amid spiraling tensions ⁠with the United States.

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The 94-year-old elder statesman was not present.

Cuban ​lawmaker Gerardo Hernández, a national hero and former spy, conveyed a ​message thanking the Cuban people and friends around the world for their solidarity.

"As long as I live, I will remain at the forefront of the ​Revolution, with one foot in the stirrup," Hernandez quoted Castro ​as saying.

Thousands of Cubans waved flags during the nearly hour-long rally beside a ‌calm ⁠sea just 90 miles from U.S. shores, chanting "Viva Raul!" and "Patria o Muerte (Homeland or Death)!".

President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero attended the rally, as did several of Castro's family, including daughter ​Mariela Castro, son ​Alejandro Castro and ⁠grandson Raúl Rodríguez Castro.

Rodriguez Castro, known in Cuba as "Raulito (Little Raul)" or "El Cangrejo (The Crab)", often serves as ​his grandfather's bodyguard and met last week with CIA ​Director ⁠John Ratcliffe during a rare visit by a U.S. spy chief to Havana.

Cuba says Castro's indictment on murder charges on Wednesday was ⁠based on "spurious" ​allegations designed to serve as a pretext ​to invade as President Donald Trump's administration pushes to upend the island's government.

Reporting by Ayose Naranjo; ​Editing by Dave Sherwood and Aida Pelaez-Fernandez; Editing by Kevin Liffey

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