Miguel Díaz-Canel, in an interview with the British channel Sky News, responded to President Donald Trump's statements. He confidently declared that Cuba does not fear military confrontation and is preparing to avoid being "caught off guard or defeated."
This interview, conducted by journalist Yalda Hakim at the Presidential Palace in Havana, marks Díaz-Canel's first direct response to Trump through a major Western media outlet.
The catalyst for this exchange was Trump's speech on Wednesday during the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, where he suggested that Cuba is "moving closer to our sphere" after many decades.
In reaction, Díaz-Canel firmly stated, "We are a peaceful country. We pose no threat to anyone. Cuba is not a nation in conflict. We will not give up our sovereignty or independence."
The Cuban leader criticized Washington's rhetoric as "a strategy of media intoxication and psychological warfare to frighten our country and destabilize our society," describing it as "an insult and an affront to the dignity of our people."
His most forceful comment came when asked about the seriousness of the situation: "We don't want war, but we are not afraid of it. We are preparing so that we are neither surprised nor defeated."
When reminded by the journalist about Trump's military actions against Venezuela and Iran following threats, and asked if Cuba took the possibility of armed conflict seriously, he responded bluntly: "We are ready to fight to the last drop of blood to defend our rights, our independence, our sovereignty, and our achievements."
Díaz-Canel also accused the Trump administration of "telling many lies" and "significantly manipulating international public opinion," while acknowledging that Cuba is experiencing "a significant moment of tightening" of the embargo "to the point of maximum pressure."
However, he left the door open for dialogue, though he cautioned that Cuba's trust in Washington is low following U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran.
The interview comes at a time of heightened tensions in bilateral relations.
Trump's remarks about Cuba are part of an ongoing escalation since January, when the capture of Nicolás Maduro interrupted the supply of about 70,000 barrels of Venezuelan crude oil daily to the Island, leading to an energy crisis with power outages exceeding 24 hours and generation deficits over 2,100 MW.
Since then, the Trump administration has imposed more than 240 sanctions on Cuba, including personal sanctions against Díaz-Canel himself, his wife Lis Cuesta Peraza, and Colonel Alejandro Castro Espín.
On May 1, the administration signed Executive Order 14404, expanding measures and introducing secondary sanctions against third parties. The U.S. also deployed the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier in the Caribbean since May 20 as part of Operation Southern Seas 2026.
In the same context, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez warned that military aggression against the Island would result in "a bloodbath" and that "thousands and thousands of Cubans and also young Americans will die in a war that is not theirs."
Cuba has also convened an extraordinary session of the United Nations General Assembly for July 7 to denounce the tightening of U.S. sanctions.
Understanding U.S.-Cuba Relations Under Pressure
How has the U.S. tightened sanctions on Cuba recently?
The Trump administration has imposed more than 240 sanctions, including personal sanctions against Cuban leaders, and expanded measures with Executive Order 14404, introducing secondary sanctions against third parties.
What are the possible consequences of increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean?
The deployment of the USS Nimitz as part of Operation Southern Seas 2026 increases the risk of military confrontation, which Cuban officials warn could lead to significant casualties on both sides.
What is Cuba's stance on potential negotiation with the U.S.?
While Díaz-Canel remains open to dialogue, he expresses skepticism about trusting Washington, given recent U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran.