HUNDREDS of protesters demanded the US keep its hands off Cuba at a protest outside the country’s embassy in London today.

Anti-imperialist groups staged the mass unity protest to highlight opposition to ongoing conflict in the Middle East and restrictions against Cuba and oppose recent escalations in “US-zionist aggression” worldwide.

The protest was timed for the same weekend that the Nuestra America international humanitarian aid convoy was set to arrive on the shores of Cuba. 

It was part of dozens of other protests outside US embassies across the world last weekend, to mark the arrival of the aid convoy and demand an end to the US blockade on Cuba. 

Cuba’s power grid collapsed on Saturday leaving the country without electricity for a third time this month.

Its energy supplies have been devastated following the US kidnap and removal of Venezuela’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, which halted critical petroleum shipments from the nation that had been a steadfast ally to Havana.

US President Donald Trump has recently raised the possibility of a “friendly takeover of Cuba.”

The coalition was led by the Palestinian Youth Movement, Energy Embargo for Palestine, Code Pink, Action for Sudan, and Workers for a Free Palestine.

It demands the immediate cessation of military attacks on Iran, Lebanon, and the wider Middle East region; an end to British, US, and Israeli war and economic aggression in the Middle East and globally; a total and immediate arms embargo on Israel and the UAE; the lifting of the illegal economic blockade on Cuba; and the release of Mr Maduro.

The global day of action in solidarity with Cuba and its people was marked in Scotland on Saturday with vigils in Aberdeen, Irvine and Glasgow.

Aberdeen TUC joint secretary Kate Ramsden told the Star she was “delighted with the level of support for Cuba from the public,” adding: “People seem to be waking up to the impact of US imperialism not just in Cuba, in the Middle East.

“At a time when US sanctions are ratcheting up the pressure on Cuba, visible solidarity from around the world matters more than ever.”

She called out the “inhumane and illegal US blockade” as “another example of US imperialism,” adding: “Cuba is no threat to the US except in the values it espouses. For the US to blockade a poor country from having access to oil creates a devastating Trump-made tragedy.”

Samuel Sweek, spokesperson for Peace & Justice Project, said: “The government has dragged Britain into the US and Israel’s illegal war in Iran, further confirming its role as a vassal state to Trump and Netanyahu’s grotesque imperialism.  This follows the complicity and active participation in the Gaza genocide exposed by The Gaza Tribunal.

The British people have had enough of the death and destruction brought on by the Western governments and will continue to demand peace and accountability until the bloodshed ends, and those responsible are brought to justice.”

Scottish Cuba Solidarity Campaign secretary Arthur West said: “I am delighted that Scotland played its part in the International Day of Solidarity with Cuba on Saturday.

“Well attended gatherings in support of the Cuban people took place in Glasgow and Aberdeen organised by our campaign and our friends in a range of organisations .

“It is absolutely scandalous that the US continues with a trade and economic blockade of the island which has lasted over 60 years.

“The recent move by the US to cut off oil supplies to the island is also utterly spiteful and vindictive and adds to the hardship being faced by the Cuban people.

“Despite the cruelty of the US administration towards the country - it still maintains first class health and education services.

“Cuba also continues with its international humanitarian work which involves support to people experiencing natural disasters in countries across the world.

“It has never been more important to support Cuba at this time of great difficulty.”