Havana, Feb 15 (RHC) On Wednesday, President Miguel Diaz-Canel recalled the explosion of the battleship Maine, an event that 125 years ago triggered the intervention of the United States in the war for Cuba's independence.

He pointed out that “they took over the country until 1959. Today they do not forgive us for our independence.”

Historians have verified that the Government of the United States used that event as a pretext to declare war on Spain and interfere in Cuba’s war against the colonial regime.

A report by President William Mackinley requesting authorization to go to war with Spain was approved by Congress.

At the same time, a draft joint resolution was presented in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in which Spain’s resignation of its sovereignty over Cuba was demanded and McKinley was authorized to use force to achieve the stated objectives.

On April 25, 1898, war was officially declared, although a naval blockade was already established on April 22, and the first landing of US soldiers took place east of the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba on June 22. (Prensa Latina)