During the May Day parade in Havana, Miguel Díaz-Canel granted an interview to the Spanish newspaper Público, where he addressed accusations of dictatorship with irony, challenged Washington's military threats, and defended the Cuban regime's rhetoric of resistance against the Trump administration's maximum pressure.
The interview, which Público published last Thursday, was conducted against three backdrops: the Plaza de la Revolución, the Avenida Paseo during the march, and the Anti-Imperialist Tribune in front of the U.S. embassy. On the same day, Trump announced new sanctions against Cuba, declaring to his supporters in Florida, "We will take Cuba almost immediately."
In response to these threats, Díaz-Canel encapsulated the regime's stance with a bold statement: "If we are attacked, there will be a fight here."
Confronted with accusations of dictatorship, the Cuban leader used irony to make his point: "And I am a very strange dictator: a dictator who can share with his people, who can march alongside his people."
This claim is striking in a country where hundreds of political prisoners remain behind bars, where independent journalist Ángel Cuza was arrested on April 30 in front of his daughter by State Security agents, and where there have been reports of pressure on workers and children being taken out of schools to swell the ranks of marches.
Regarding the energy crisis, Díaz-Canel described the oil embargo as "collective punishment that has further intensified the economic, financial, and commercial blockade against Cuba," accusing Washington of trying "to defeat us through suffocation."
What he left out is that blackouts in Cuba exceed 24 hours daily, affecting more than 60% of the territory, with a generation deficit surpassing 1,900 MW last Thursday, the result of decades of underinvestment and mismanagement by the regime.
Foreign Policy and U.S. Relations
In foreign policy matters, Díaz-Canel accused Trump of "reviving the Monroe Doctrine" with what he termed the "Trump corollary," condemning Washington for once again viewing Latin America as "the backyard."
Regarding relations with the United States, Díaz-Canel struck a more conciliatory tone: "American flags have never been burned here," he stated, expressing a desire for "a civilized relationship between neighbors" despite ideological differences.
This year's May Day march, relocated from the Plaza de la Revolución to the Anti-Imperialist Tribune under the pretext of "austerity," saw notably lower attendance compared to previous years, according to independent reports.
Raúl Castro presided over the central political event, marking his first public appearance since the ninth Congress of the Cuban Communist Party held in March.
This isn't the first time Díaz-Canel has adopted a defiant tone. In April, he warned that a U.S. attack would result in enormous losses for both nations, and during an interview with NBC News, he asserted: "I am not afraid. I am willing to give my life for the Revolution."
The day following the march, Díaz-Canel issued another warning on social media: "No aggressor will find surrender in Cuba."
Understanding the Current Tensions Between the U.S. and Cuba
What prompted Trump's recent sanctions against Cuba?
The recent sanctions by Trump against Cuba are part of a broader strategy to apply maximum pressure on the Cuban regime, aiming to weaken its governance and influence.
How has the Cuban government responded to U.S. threats?
The Cuban government, represented by Díaz-Canel, has responded defiantly, emphasizing their willingness to resist any aggression and maintain their revolutionary ideals.
What are the main challenges facing Cuba due to the U.S. embargo?
Cuba faces significant challenges such as severe energy shortages, economic strain, and a lack of resources, all exacerbated by the longstanding U.S. embargo.