Cubans celebrate May Day in Havana

A man carries wooden figures showing Uncle Sam being beaten by two baseball players during the May Day parade in Havana. In a column published on the internet, Fidel Castro said the United States wants Cuba to 'act like a slave' and that 'the adversary should never be under the illusion that Cuba will surrender' Photograph: Sven Creutzmann/Getty

A crowd holds up Cuban flags. Despite fears of swine flu, thousands gathered at Revolution square to celebrate May Day Photograph: Alejandro Ernesto/EPA

Raúl Castro, Cuba's president, watches May Day festivities in Havana. Castro didn't speak at the celebration but Communist party official Salvador Valdes Mesa told the crowd workers need to raise 'production and productivity, for the reduction of costs and expenditures, to grow exports and [reduce] imports' Photograph: Enrique De La Osa/Reuters

A girl waves a flag during the May Day parade in Havana Photograph: Enrique De La Osa/Reuters

The statue of José Martí is seen at Revolution square in Havana. Cubans call Martí the Apostle of Cuban Independence Photograph: Sven Creutzmann/Getty

A man holds a photo of Fidel Castro and Ernesto "Che" Guevara Photograph: AFP

Young Cubans wave flags at Revolution square Photograph: Enrique De La Osa/Reuters

Cubans hold banners and signs as they march in the May Day parade. During the broadcast of the event, the words 'united, efficient and productive' flashed across television screens Photograph: Sven Creutzmann/Getty

Cubans march at Revolution square in Havana. The crowd was told to work harder to help Cuba's embattled economy bounce back Photograph: Sven Creutzmann/Getty

A man holds up a photograph of Cuba's retired leader Fidel Castro. Castro transferred power to his brother Raúl last year Photograph: Enrique de la Osa/Reuters

A woman holds an American flag during a parade at Revolution square in Havana. Visitors from 70 countries took part in the May Day celebration Photograph: EPA