In a defiant response to U.S. President Donald Trump's latest threats, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has made it clear that his country will not be bullied into submission. Slamming Trump's efforts to "suffocate" Cuba's economy, Díaz-Canel reaffirmed the island nation's sovereignty and vowed to defend it "to the last drop of blood."
The standoff between the two leaders escalated after the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. operation, which killed 32 Cuban security officers. Trump seized on the opportunity, warning that Cuba's oil and money supply from Venezuela would be cut off, and demanding that Havana "make a deal" with Washington "before it's too late."
Unflinching Defiance
Díaz-Canel was quick to dismiss Trump's ultimatum, asserting that "no one dictates what we do." In a series of social media posts, the Cuban president made it clear that his country would not bow to external pressure or interference, stating firmly that "Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation."
The Cuban government's unwavering stance is rooted in decades of hostility and economic coercion from the United States, which has maintained a crippling embargo on the island since the 1960s. As Council on Foreign Relations notes, the embargo has had a devastating impact on Cuba's economy, contributing to widespread shortages and economic hardship.
Reliance on Venezuelan Oil
Cuba's reliance on Venezuelan oil has been a critical lifeline, with Havana receiving an estimated 35,000 barrels per day before the U.S. attack on Maduro's regime. The loss of this energy supply, coupled with the threat of further sanctions, could spell disaster for the Cuban economy, which is already grappling with power outages and fuel shortages.
What this really means is that Trump is doubling down on his efforts to suffocate Cuba's economy and force the island nation to capitulate to his demands. However, Díaz-Canel's unwavering response suggests that Cuba is prepared to weather the storm, even if it means fighting "to the last drop of blood." The bigger picture here is that the U.S.-Cuba relationship remains mired in decades of mistrust and hostility, with little prospect of a thaw in the near future.