Cuban President Denounces U.S. Military Threats and Affirms National Defense

Cuban President's Strong Stance Against U.S. Aggression

Miguel Díaz-Canel, the President of Cuba, asserted that the United States lacks any legitimate justification for launching a military attack on the island or attempting to remove its leadership. In an interview on NBC News' 'Meet the Press,' he emphasized that an invasion of Cuba would be costly and detrimental to regional security. However, he stated that if such an event were to occur, the Cuban people would defend themselves. Speaking through a translator, Díaz-Canel expressed skepticism about the U.S. initiating a military assault or attempting to kidnap a president or conduct surgical operations against Cuba.

Díaz-Canel accused the U.S. of maintaining a hostile policy towards Cuba, claiming that it has no moral authority to make demands of the island. He indicated that Cuba is open to dialogue on any topic without preconditions. However, he made it clear that Cuba would not accept demands for changes in its political system, just as it does not demand changes in the U.S. system. The Cuban government has attributed its deepening economic crisis to the U.S. energy blockade, which has adversely affected healthcare, public transportation, and the production of goods and services. The country produces only about 40% of the fuel it needs, and the situation worsened after the cessation of oil supplies from Venezuela in January.

In March, a tanker filled with crude oil from Russia arrived in Cuba, marking the first supply in three months, with Russia promising to send another tanker. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the Cuban government, labeling its leadership as corrupt and asserting that the oil supply would have no impact. Díaz-Canel interpreted Trump's remarks as a warning, stating that Cuba must remain prepared to defend its people, projects, and nation.