Miguel Díaz-Canel has criticized the United States for deploying military forces in the Caribbean, claiming it is done under the "false pretext" of combating drug trafficking and poses a "direct threat" to the sovereignty of regional nations. At the XIII Extraordinary Summit of ALBA-TCP held in Havana, the Cuban leader denounced the U.S. military movement as an "imperial show of force" and suggested it could serve as a platform for "covert actions" justified by U.S. domestic law.
During his speech, Díaz-Canel linked this military action to Title 50 of the United States Code on War and National Defense, which allows military operations without Congress's authorization. He argued that the strategy is a maneuver to legitimize future interventions, particularly against governments allied with the authoritarian ALBA axis, such as Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba itself.
"The deployment of military naval units to the southern Caribbean, under the command of the Southern Command, involves up to 4,000 troops and is presented as a deterrent action, under the false and exaggerated claim of combating drug cartels. This is being promoted by the most 'narco' state in the world, which is the United States," Díaz-Canel stated.
The Cuban leader also criticized recent accusations by Washington against Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela's president, arguing that they aim to link him to drug trafficking without evidence. "They disdain us," Díaz-Canel declared, quoting José Martí from his speech Nuestra América. Additionally, he likened the U.S. strategy to a renewed attempt to impose the Monroe Doctrine in Latin America.
During the summit, Díaz-Canel portrayed the ALBA-TCP bloc as a "political shield" against what he perceives as external aggressions. He suggested that the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) should hold an extraordinary meeting to address the rising tensions in the region.
The Cuban president accused the Trump administration of promoting misinformation campaigns and economic pressures as part of its "philosophy of plunder." He criticized U.S. support for Israel, condemning it as "genocidal," in reference to the situation in Gaza.
In his address, Díaz-Canel commemorated the 99th anniversary of Fidel Castro's birth, dedicating a significant portion of his speech to the late dictator, whom he described as a symbol of resistance against "imperial domination." The speech, filled with ideological rhetoric and revolutionary references, seeks to reinforce the Cuban regime's narrative of regional unity in the face of increasing tensions with the United States.
Key Questions About U.S.-Cuba Relations and Military Presence in the Caribbean
What is Díaz-Canel's main accusation against the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean?
Díaz-Canel accuses the U.S. of deploying military forces in the Caribbean under the false pretense of fighting drug trafficking, which he views as a direct threat to regional sovereignty and a potential platform for covert operations.
How does Díaz-Canel relate the U.S. military actions to U.S. law?
Díaz-Canel connects the military actions to Title 50 of the U.S. Code on War and National Defense, which allows for military operations without congressional approval, suggesting it legitimizes future interventions.
What regional strategy does Díaz-Canel propose in response to U.S. actions?
He proposes that CELAC convene an extraordinary meeting to address regional tensions and uses the ALBA-TCP bloc as a political shield against perceived external aggressions.