Cuban president promises ‘impregnable resistance’ to any US attempt to control island
Cuban president promises ‘impregnable resistance’ to any US attempt to control island
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel vowed Tuesday that the United States would encounter “unshakable resistance” if it tried to impose control over the island, as power gradually returned to certain regions after a nationwide electrical grid failure. The declaration came amid ongoing tensions, with the Cuban leader criticizing Washington’s long-standing efforts to isolate the nation.
Following the collapse of the country’s power system, which left most of the 10 million population without electricity, Díaz-Canel used a defiant X post to accuse the US of exploiting Cuba’s economic challenges as a “blatant excuse” for intervention. “This explains the relentless economic war, which serves as a form of collective punishment against the entire Cuban people,” he stated.
Earlier this year, the US had effectively cut off Cuba’s oil supply, severely disrupting its aging energy infrastructure. On Monday, the crisis reached its peak as residents resorted to cooking with torches and candles, while schools shortened hours and sports events were postponed. Trash accumulation in some neighborhoods worsened due to the lack of fuel for waste removal trucks.
By Tuesday afternoon, electricity was restored to about 55% of Havana residents and parts of the western and central-eastern regions. Despite this progress, the outages have intensified the hardship Cubans face, as intermittent blackouts have plagued the country for months. The uncertainty surrounding potential US action has stoked public frustration, though many civilians remain focused on survival.
US President Donald Trump had previously hinted at a potential takeover, claiming Monday that he could “do anything he wants” with Cuba. Tuesday, he reiterated: “We’ll be doing something with Cuba very soon.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined the critique, stating that Cuba’s leadership must be replaced. “Their economy doesn’t work…They’re in a lot of trouble, and the people in charge, they don’t know how to fix it,” Rubio said.
Residents of Havana expressed mixed views on the possibility of conflict. Marianela Alvarez, a local, told Reuters that Cubans prefer peace over war. “We, as people, as civilians, aren’t ready for a war,” she said. “I want Trump to understand, to leave us alone.” Meanwhile, Luis Enrique Garcia acknowledged the nation’s struggles but held hope for diplomatic engagement. “It is love that should unite human beings, not war,” he claimed.
However, not all shared that optimism. Amed Echenique, another Havana resident, questioned the sincerity of US talks. “I don’t trust a dialogue with Trump,” he said. “I don’t trust Trump as a person, even with the little I know about him. That’s why I don’t see much hope.”
Díaz-Canel confirmed Friday that Cuban officials had engaged in discussions with the US to “pinpoint the bilateral issues requiring resolution.” This marked the first official acknowledgment from Havana of the ongoing negotiations, which Trump had previously claimed were already underway.
