Cuba marks 60 years of revolution; seeks U.S. ties

Cuba’s former president Raul Castro marked the 60th anniversary of the country’s Revolution on Tuesday, amidst pressing diplomatic relations with the United States and a flailing economy.

On New Year’s Day of 1959, Cuba’s U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista fled Cuba as Fidel Castro and his bearded revolutionaries seized control of the Caribbean country. Alongside Fidel was his brother, Raul Castro, who now head’s the country’s Communist Party.

Speaking at an event in the city of Santiago de Cuba to mark the anniversary, Raul Castro said Havana seeks mutual bilateral with the U.S.A.. Under President Donald Trump, warming diplomatic relations have been under strain with Washington unwinding economic ties and putting in place new sanctions.

It comes as Havana plans more austerity amidst sluggish growth, falling export earnings and rising debt. Castro blamed the U.S.’s blockade on the local economy for part of its woes.

In recent years, Cuba has sought to modernise its revolution and economy by easing restrictions on private property and foreign investment.

At the country’s helm is President Miguel Diaz-Canel, the first non-Castro president of Cuba since 1976.

Sri Lankan Minister says they can’t tolerate violations of local language laws at Chinese project sites