The gathering, which precedes the March of the Fighting People, is led by President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Rebel Army Commander Jose Ramón Machado, and other high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Cuban government.

The day before, numerous gestures and expressions of popular support marked the arrival of the remains of the internationalist fighters, who died during the U.S. attack against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The leader of the Cuban Revolution, Raul Castro, and President Diaz-Canel paid the first posthumous tribute to the combatants and led the final honor guard.

A procession carried the urns from the airport terminal to the headquarters of the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) along Rancho Boyeros Avenue, accompanied by thousands of people who, along the route, paid heartfelt tribute to the fallen.

A steady stream of people, whose numbers did not diminish despite the inclement weather, arrived at the designated area at MINFAR to pay their respects and honors to the mortal remains of the combatants, in recognition of their lives and sacrifice.

Tribute ceremonies are scheduled for Friday morning in all provincial capitals across the country.

Later in the afternoon, the remains will be interred in the Pantheon of the Fallen in Defense in their respective localities, while posthumous acts of recognition will be held in all municipalities.

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