On Thursday, Miguel Díaz-Canel issued a warning regarding a potential military threat from the United States against Cuba, urging the Cuban people to brace for possible conflict.
"Fellow citizens, we are in extremely challenging times that command us, much like on April 16, 1961, to be prepared to face serious threats, including military aggression. While we do not desire it, we must prepare to prevent it, and if it becomes unavoidable, to overcome it," Díaz-Canel stated.
His remarks were delivered during the ceremony commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Socialist Character of the Revolution, held at the iconic corner of 23rd and 12th in Vedado, Havana.
This event traditionally takes place at the same location where Fidel Castro declared socialism on April 16, 1961, a day before the Bay of Pigs invasion, a deliberate parallel drawn by the regime amidst rising tensions with Washington.
Escalating Tensions with Washington
Díaz-Canel characterized the current situation as "absolutely challenging" and described the threat of an attack as part of a "multidimensional aggression" against the island. However, he assured that should a confrontation occur, Cuba is confident of victory.
"We have faith in victory as instilled by Fidel. We believe in dialogue and the extraordinary power of peace to sustain life on the planet," he expressed. "As long as there is a woman and a man willing to give their lives for the Revolution, we will prevail," he added.
Before concluding, he directed a message at the United States: "Consider the impact on human lives in both our nations if we are drawn into a senseless, illogical conflict, for which there are no excuses or justifications, when there is so much we could achieve together."
Díaz-Canel's Firm Stance
Thursday's speech is not an isolated incident but a culmination of increasingly combative statements in recent weeks.
On April 7, during an interview with Newsweek, Díaz-Canel warned that Cuba would respond with a "people's war" if attacked: "We will always work for peace, but should there be military aggression, we will fight and defend ourselves."
In a subsequent interview with NBC News, he intensified his rhetoric: "There will be struggle, there will be difficulties, and the Cuban people will defend themselves. If we must die, we will die, for as our national anthem states: To die for the homeland is to live."
In the same interview, he dismissed Washington's demands to release over 1,200 political prisoners, hold multiparty elections, and ensure a free press. He also denied fearing capture or elimination, as happened with Nicolás Maduro, asserting, "I am not afraid. I am ready to give my life for the revolution."
U.S. Pressure on Cuba Intensifies
On March 16, Trump declared from the White House, "I think I will have the honor of taking Cuba." On March 27, in Miami Beach, he added, "Cuba is next, but pretend I didn't say that."
On Wednesday, the Republican president stated, "We might stop in Cuba after we're done with this," referring to the conflict with Iran. That same day, USA Today revealed, citing two anonymous sources, that the Pentagon has discreetly accelerated planning for a potential military operation in Cuba.
On Thursday, the Department of Defense declined to confirm specific plans but assured that the armed forces are prepared to act if Trump gives the order.
The United States has also ramped up economic pressure on Cuba. On January 29, Trump signed Executive Order 14380, declaring the Cuban government an "extraordinary threat to national security" and imposing tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island.
The capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3 further cut off Venezuelan oil to Cuba, exacerbating an energy crisis already causing power outages of up to twenty hours daily.
While the regime rallies support for the Revolution, the internal reality of the island is one of collapse across all sectors.
Trump had ruled out intervention in Cuba on March 13. However, his subsequent statements and Pentagon movements have reignited uncertainty about Washington's true intentions toward Havana.
Understanding the Cuba-U.S. Tensions
What is Díaz-Canel's main concern regarding the U.S.?
Díaz-Canel is concerned about a potential military threat from the U.S. and is urging Cubans to prepare for possible conflict.
How has the U.S. increased pressure on Cuba recently?
The U.S. has intensified both military and economic pressure, with Trump signing an executive order declaring Cuba a threat and imposing tariffs on oil suppliers to the island.
What historical event does the regime evoke in current tensions?
The regime draws parallels to the Bay of Pigs invasion, recalling Fidel Castro's 1961 proclamation of socialism in the same location where Díaz-Canel spoke recently.