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Manuel Marrero Challenges the U.S.: "Yankee Threats Don't Intimidate Us"

Sunday, January 11, 2026 by Daniel Colon

Manuel Marrero Challenges the U.S.: "Yankee Threats Don't Intimidate Us"
Manuel Marrero - Image © Cubadebate

On Saturday, Cuba's Prime Minister adopted a defiant stance against the United States, declaring that they are not intimidated by what he termed "Yankee threats."

"Yankee threats neither surprise nor intimidate us. We have mambisa and rebellious blood running through our veins. For Cuba, 'Homeland or Death' isn't a slogan, it's a conviction; and victory isn't an option, it's the only path," Marrero stated, echoing the regime’s typical rallying cries.

Marrero's defiance aligns with the Cuban regime's call for a day of defense amidst heightened tensions with the U.S. following the downfall of Nicolás Maduro.

On Friday, Republican Senator Ted Cruz expressed that this is "the most promising moment in our lifetimes" to witness the collapse of Cuba's communist regime. He suggested that if this occurs, numerous affluent Cuban-Americans would be eager to invest in "turning the country around," as he mentioned in a Fox News interview.

"I now believe this is the most promising moment in our lifetimes to see the communist regime fall," Cruz declared.

In his remarks, Cruz drew parallels between the situations in Cuba and Venezuela, holding figures from Chavismo responsible for the destruction of Venezuela's economy. He claimed that Cuba "could be a paradise island" if communists were ousted and free enterprise was allowed. He criticized what he termed "the madness" of the Obama administration "propping up" the Castros, advocating for a stance of not "having anything to do with them."

Cruz's comments come amid other recent reactions from U.S. officials regarding Cuba. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked this week that Cuban leaders must choose between establishing "a real country" with "a real economy" or continuing with a "failed dictatorship," warning that persisting with the current model would lead to a "systemic and social collapse," in his opinion.

Rubio argued that the "fundamental problem" in Cuba is that it is "surrounded by incompetent people" who "don't know what an economy is, let alone one that works," asserting that the regime has prioritized political control over a functional economy for decades.

He noted that the Cuban system had been sustained for "60-something years" by external donors, first the Soviet Union and more recently Venezuela, but emphasized that this support "is now gone," placing Cuban leaders at a crossroads, according to his words.

Rubio warned that if the regime continues with its "false dictatorship," it will lead to a "systemic and social collapse."

Tensions Between the U.S. and Cuba

What was Manuel Marrero's response to U.S. threats?

Manuel Marrero, Cuba's Prime Minister, declared that the Cuban regime is not intimidated by what he calls "Yankee threats," emphasizing their resilience and conviction in their principles.

What did Ted Cruz say about the situation in Cuba?

Ted Cruz stated that this is the most promising time to see the fall of Cuba's communist regime. He also suggested that many wealthy Cuban-Americans would be willing to invest in transforming the country.

How did Marco Rubio describe the economic situation in Cuba?

Marco Rubio criticized the Cuban regime for being surrounded by incompetence and prioritizing political control over a functional economy. He warned that the current model could lead to a systemic and social collapse.

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