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HAVANA — <\/span>Tens of thousands of Cubans demonstrated Friday outside the U.S. Embassy in Havana to decry the killing of 32 Cuban officers<\/a> in Venezuela and demand that the U.S. government release former Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro.<\/p>\n They crowded into the open-air \u201cJos\u00e9 Mart\u00ed Anti-Imperialist\u201d plaza across from the embassy in a rally organized by the Cuban government as tensions between Cuba and the U.S. spike following the U.S. attack Jan. 3<\/a> on Venezuela.<\/p>\n The 32 Cuban officers were part of Maduro\u2019s security detail killed during the raid on his residence<\/a> in Caracas to seize the former leader and bring him to the U.S. to face drug trafficking charges.<\/p>\n \u201cHumanity is experiencing something very complex, and (the US) is governed by a president who considers himself an emperor,\u201d said Ren\u00e9 Gonz\u00e1lez, 64, one of the protesters. <\/p>\n \u201cWe must show him that ideas are worth more than weapons,” he said. “This march is a message of our unity. Independence is sacred, and we will defend it tooth and nail if necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n Cuba\u2019s national hymn rang out at Friday\u2019s demonstration as large Cuban flags waved in the chilly wind and big waves broke nearby along Havana\u2019s famed pier. President Miguel D\u00edaz-Canel shook hands with members of the crowd clad in jackets and scarves before speaking to them.<\/p>\n \u201cThe current U.S. administration has opened the door to an era of barbarism, plunder and neo-fascism,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n The demonstration was a show of popular strength after U.S. President Donald Trump recently demanded that Cuba make a deal with him<\/a> before it is \u201ctoo late.\u201d He did not explain what kind of deal.<\/p>\n Trump also has said that Cuba will no longer live off Venezuela\u2019s oil and money. Experts say the move could have catastrophic consequences since Cuba is already struggling with severe blackouts.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one here surrenders,” D\u00edaz-Canel said. \u201cThe current emperor of the White House and his infamous secretary of state haven\u2019t stopped threatening me.\u201d<\/p>\n Washington has maintained a policy of sanctions against Cuba since the 1960s to pressure the island’s government to improve its human rights record, end its one-party communist system and allow democracy. The sanctions have been further tightened during Trump\u2019s presidency, suffocating the island\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n \u201cCuba does not have to make any political concessions, and that will never be on the table for negotiations aimed at reaching an understanding between Cuba and the United States,\u201d D\u00edaz-Canel said. \u201cIt is important that they understand this. We will always be open to dialogue and improving relations between our two countries, but only on equal terms and based on mutual respect.\u201d<\/p>\n After the president’s speech, the demonstration transitioned into a parade that Cubans call a \u201ccombatant march,\u201d a custom that originated during the time of the late leader Fidel Castro. The crowd was led by a line of people holding pictures of the 32 officers killed.<\/p>\n \u201cDown with imperialism!\u201d the crowd yelled. \u201cCuba will prevail!”<\/p>\n The demonstration was organized a day after tens of thousands of Cubans gathered at the headquarters of the Ministry of the Armed Forces to pay their respects<\/a> to the 32 officers slain.<\/p>\n Their remains arrived home on Thursday morning, and they are scheduled to be laid to rest on Friday afternoon in various cemeteries following memorial ceremonies in all of Cuba\u2019s provincial capitals.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Associated Press reporter D\u00e1nica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico contributed to this report.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n