Miguel Diaz-Canel says Cuba does not seek conflict with the United States but is prepared to fight if necessary. It is the 65th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s declaration of the socialist nature of the Cuban Revolution and the failed invasion at the Bay of Pigs by forces aligned with the US the day after. President Donald Trump has threatened that the US could overthrow the Cuban government and has ratcheted up energy restrictions meant to squeeze the island's economy.
US State Department urged Cuba to transition from socialism to a market-based economy and compensate American citizens and corporations whose assets were seized in the 1960s. Washington also wants Cuba to implement economic reforms, expand the private sector, attract foreign investment, and release political prisoners. US proposed bringing Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service to Cuba.
President Donald Trump launched a blockade of fuel shipments to Cuba two months before he announced that the Navy would interdict shipping to and from Iranian ports. The U.S. Coast Guard was intercepting oil tankers bound for Cuba since the beginning of February. The only tanker that has reached the island since then arrived from Russia on March 31 with nearly 730,000 barrels of oil. The Cuban power grid has almost entirely collapsed, because of long-standing maintenance issues exacerbated by the lack of fuel. Tourism has ground to a halt, and hospitals are struggling to stay open. The blockade is an attempt to soften up Cuba for a regime change operation.
After the U.S. wraps up in Iran, Trump hints that his administration may shift its focus to change on the island. Relations between the US and Cuba have become more tense since January due to recent action by the US that saw the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and an oil blockade.
Tensions between Cuba and the United States are escalating. US officials are considering military contingencies involving Cuba. Cuba is in a severe economic and energy crisis. Cuba's president Miguel Díaz-Canel has warned against any potential US intervention. The current standoff echoes decades of hostility between the US and Cuba dating back to the Cold War era.
Pentagon is intensifying preparations for a potential military operation in Cuba, according to reports. US officials were given a "new directive" from the White House to intensify planning for possible military action against Cuba. Trump said Monday that the U.S. "may stop by Cuba" after the war with Iran.
Díaz-Canel spoke at a rally commemorating the 65th anniversary of the declaration of the Cuban Revolution’s socialist essence. He spoke as tensions remain high between the two countries, with Cuba's crises deepening as a result of a U.S. energy blockade. Trump said his administration could focus on Cuba after the war in Iran.
Miguel Díaz-Canel spoke at a rally commemorating the 65th anniversary of the declaration of the Cuban Revolution’s socialist essence. Tensions between the U.S. and Cuba are high due to the energy blockade and the economic crisis.
A senior Cuban diplomat confirmed recent talks in Havana with US officials. The negotiators included assistant secretaries from the US State Department and Cuba's deputy foreign minister. Trump administration has been implementing a policy of maximum pressure on Cuba since its overthrow of Venezuela's socialist president Nicolas Maduro. The leftist leaders of Mexico, Spain and Brazil voiced concern over the "dramatic situation" in Cuba and urged "sincere and respectful dialogue"
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said his country is ready for a possible US attack on the communist island. He was speaking at a rally in Havana to mark the 65th anniversary of the failed US invasion of the island at the Bay of Pigs. Washington and Havana have held talks on de-escalating tensions but they have failed to make any headway.