The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, took to the social media platform X this Friday to express his disapproval of the United States' military budget for 2026, labeling it as exorbitant. He criticized the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which outlines a hefty expenditure.
In his post, the Cuban official condemned the NDAA for allocating $901 billion, describing it as an unprecedented amount in U.S. history.
Rodríguez argued that the "plutocracy and war-mongering rulers" aim to sustain their doctrine of "peace through strength" with increased taxpayer funding. He believes this approach fuels the arms race, aggression against sovereign nations, and the exploitation of strategic natural resources.
The minister added that while Washington places the resolution of citizen demands on the back burner and neglects election promises, it finances a "new national security strategy" that he perceives as "extremely offensive."
In the same message, he accused the United States of attempting to revive the Monroe Doctrine with an aggressive stance against "Our America."
The post sparked critical responses from users on X. One commenter questioned the "fiery rhetoric" against the U.S. and highlighted the presence of "political prisoners" in Cuba and alleged human rights violations.
Another user suggested that "funding will soon be cut off" from the "Cartel of the Suns," predicting "the fall" of the Cuban government.
There were also remarks questioning Rodríguez's concern over U.S. actions, contrasting it with the situation in Cuba, which faces issues like power outages, hunger, and waste management.
One user pointed out, "At least the U.S. government cares to wish its people a Merry Christmas and ensure their well-being, whereas the Cuban government didn't even bother to wish its people well and instead gave them power cuts, hunger, and stinking trash for Christmas."
Another added, "The real aggression is what you commit: interfering in elections, sending 'slave doctors,' financing narco-guerrillas, and supporting dictatorships in Nicaragua and Bolivia. In Cuba, citizen petitions end in jail or exile. In the U.S., people vote, protest, and change governments without fear of being killed."
This December, Bruno Rodríguez publicly defended the regime of Nicolás Maduro and asserted that the U.S. government "lacks moral authority" to comment on terrorism, referencing recent statements from Washington regarding Latin America.
In his social media message, Rodríguez reiterated his opposition to what he termed "imperialist aggressions" and alleged U.S. interference in the region.
Subsequently, the Cuban government responded to the seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, an incident it viewed as part of the "systematic hostility" of the United States towards sovereign countries.
The Cuban authorities condemned the action, linking it to a supposed geopolitical domination strategy, consistent with their recent discourse on the revival of interventionist doctrines like the Monroe Doctrine.
On the eve of Christmas, the Cuban regime blamed the U.S. healthcare system for the fentanyl crisis, as part of a broader ideological confrontation narrative.
According to the Cuban government, the American health model exacerbates inequalities that have global repercussions, including the spread of synthetic drugs affecting multiple countries.
Key Issues in U.S.-Cuba Relations
What is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)?
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is a United States federal law that specifies the budget, expenditures, and policies of the U.S. Department of Defense. Each year, Congress passes an NDAA to authorize funding for military activities and to outline defense policies.
Why did Bruno Rodríguez criticize the U.S. military budget?
Bruno Rodríguez criticized the U.S. military budget because he views it as excessively large and believes it prioritizes military spending over addressing citizen demands and electoral commitments. He also sees it as promoting an arms race and aggression against sovereign nations.
What is the Monroe Doctrine?
The Monroe Doctrine is a United States policy, introduced in 1823, which opposes European colonialism in the Americas. It asserts that any intervention by external powers in the politics of the Americas is a potentially hostile act against the U.S.
How has the Cuban government responded to U.S. actions?
The Cuban government has responded to U.S. actions by condemning incidents like the seizure of an oil tanker near Venezuela, claiming these acts are part of a systematic U.S. hostility towards sovereign nations. They link these actions to a larger strategy of geopolitical domination.