Cuban-American congresswoman María Elvira Salazar issued a stern warning to Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, stating that justice will eventually catch up with him following a recent ultimatum from Trump to Havana's regime.
"As a dictator handpicked into power, you will have to answer for all the atrocities committed against the Cuban people by you and your predecessors," Salazar posted on X, responding to Díaz-Canel’s reaction to Trump's message.
The congresswoman then listed the crimes attributed to the Cuban regime: "For the cold-blooded downing of the Brothers to the Rescue planes. For the executions. For the political prisoners. For the families torn apart and forced into exile. For a nation held hostage for decades by fear and oppression."
"You do not represent the people. You represent a criminal apparatus sustained by terror," she asserted.
"History does not forget. Justice arrives, sooner or later. And impunity comes to an end," she concluded.
Díaz-Canel's Reaction to Trump's Ultimatum
With an air of defiance, Miguel Díaz-Canel responded on Sunday to the political and verbal onslaught from Washington by former President Donald Trump.
His message, shared on social media, comes amid an unprecedented escalation of regional tensions, leaving the Cuban regime without its main external support and facing a direct threat of total economic suffocation.
"Those who turn everything into a business, including human lives, have no moral standing to point fingers at Cuba," wrote the visibly agitated Cuban leader.
In his post, Díaz-Canel accused the United States of acting out of "rage" over the Cuban people's decision to maintain their political model and once again blamed the embargo for the country's hardships.
The message ended with a declaration that "no one dictates our actions." Furthermore, the president stated that Cuba "does not threaten, but prepares" and is ready to defend itself "to the last drop of blood."
Díaz-Canel's response came just hours after Trump issued an unprecedented ultimatum to the Havana regime. Through his Truth Social account, the former U.S. president announced the definitive end of the oil and financial support Cuba had received for years from Venezuela in exchange for "security services" to the Maduro regime. "There will be no more oil or money for Cuba. None!" Trump declared, urging Havana to "reach an agreement before it’s too late."
The message had an immediate impact, not only because of its threatening tone but also due to the context, following the recent capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro after a U.S. military operation in Caracas and confirmation that dozens of Venezuelan and Cuban soldiers died during the offensive.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denied that Cuba had ever been paid for security services. Yet, despite the denials, the anxiety is palpable.
Díaz-Canel's reaction also coincided with symbolic gestures that have further ignited social media. Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself smoking a cigar on a Havana street, surrounded by Cuban flags and classic cars.
Understanding the Tensions Between the U.S. and Cuba
Why did María Elvira Salazar warn Díaz-Canel?
María Elvira Salazar warned Díaz-Canel that justice will eventually come for him due to the atrocities committed against the Cuban people by the regime he leads.
What was Trump's ultimatum to the Cuban regime?
Trump's ultimatum declared the end of oil and financial support from Venezuela to Cuba and urged the Cuban regime to reach an agreement before it's too late.
How did Díaz-Canel respond to Trump's statements?
Díaz-Canel responded by accusing the U.S. of acting out of anger and reiterated that Cuba would defend itself and its political model, blaming the embargo for the country's issues.