Cuban president promises ‘impregnable resistance’ to any US attempt to control island
Cuban President Vows Unyielding Defiance Against U.S. Takeover Threats
Following a nationwide power grid failure that left millions without electricity, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel declared Tuesday that his nation would resist any U.S. attempt to seize control with “impregnable resistance.” The promise came as restoration efforts began in parts of the country, offering a glimpse of stability after days of disruption.
Economic Strain and U.S. Pressure
For over six decades, successive U.S. administrations have pursued policies to isolate Cuba, Díaz-Canel stated in a defiant X post. He accused Washington of exploiting Cuba’s current economic vulnerability as an “outrageous pretext” for intervention, framing it as a harsh punishment targeting the Cuban populace.
“Only in this way can the fierce economic war be explained, which is applied as collective punishment against the entire people,” he said.
Cuba’s electricity infrastructure, already strained by aging systems, faced a severe blow when the U.S. cut off its primary oil supply earlier this year. This move left many residents reliant on torchlight and candles, forcing schools to shorten hours and sports events to be rescheduled.
Trump’s Threats and Rubio’s Remarks
U.S. President Donald Trump had previously mocked Cuba’s leadership, hinting at potential actions against the island. On Monday, he suggested he could “do anything he wants with Cuba,” and by Tuesday, he reiterated: “We’ll be doing something with Cuba very soon.”
“We’ll be doing something with Cuba very soon,” Trump said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the sentiment, stating: “Cuba needs new people in charge.” He criticized the current administration, claiming their economic strategies were failing and that a change in leadership was necessary.
“Their economy doesn’t work… They’re in a lot of trouble, and the people in charge, they don’t know how to fix it, so they have to get new people in charge,” Rubio said.
Resilience Amid Crisis
By Tuesday afternoon, approximately 55% of Havana residents had regained power, with some areas in central and western Cuba also recovering. Despite the challenges, Díaz-Canel emphasized Cuba’s readiness to face any external aggression, vowing an unbreakable response.
“In the face of the worst scenario, Cuba is accompanied by a certainty: any external aggressor will clash with an impregnable resistance,” he said.
Public Sentiment and Distrust
Cubans expressed mixed reactions to the U.S. threats. While many feared further escalation, residents like Marianela Alvarez urged calm. “We, as people, as civilians, aren’t prepared for a war,” she told Reuters. “I want Trump to understand, to leave us alone.”
“We, as people, as civilians, aren’t prepared for a war,” Alvarez said. “I want Trump to understand, to leave us alone.”
Luis Enrique Garcia, another Havana resident, acknowledged the country’s struggles but remained hopeful for diplomatic engagement. “I truly believe that there will be dialogue and understanding, because it is love that should unite human beings, not war,” he added.
“I truly believe that there will be dialogue and understanding, because it is love that should unite human beings, not war,” Garcia said.
However, not all shared that optimism. Havana’s Amed Echenique expressed skepticism. “I don’t trust a dialogue with Trump,” he remarked. “I don’t trust Trump as a person, even with the little I know about him. And so that’s something that doesn’t really give me hope.”
“I don’t trust a dialogue with Trump,” Echenique told Reuters. “I don’t trust Trump as a person, even with the little I know about him. And so that’s something that doesn’t really give me hope.”
Recent Diplomatic Steps
Díaz-Canel confirmed on Friday that Cuban officials had initiated discussions with the U.S. to address “bilateral problems that need a solution.” This marked the first acknowledgment from Havana of ongoing talks, aligning with Trump’s earlier claims of U.S.-Cuba negotiations.
