Thousands march to honour Cuba hero Jose Marti in Havana

  • 11 years ago
Thousands of Cuban youths marched on Monday (January 27) through the streets of Havana to honour independence leader Jose Marti on the 161st anniversary of his birth.

Known as the "March of the Torches", the procession is held every year to remember Marti.

This year, the march coincided with the 2nd Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Uruguayan President Jose Mujica and Bolivian President Evo Morales joined Cuban President Raul Castro in leading off the march.

Young people celebrated the memory of Marti and the first march held for him in 1953.

Marti was a 19th century writer and opponent of Spanish colonial rule who is hailed in Cuba as the nation's independence hero.

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