Cuba prepares for possible US military action as Díaz-Canel warns of foreign aggression

In brief

• Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the country is preparing to resist any foreign military aggression.
• He responded to Donald Trump's remarks that he would consider military action to end the Cuban government's rule before his term ends.
• Havana says it poses no threat, while blaming the US embargo and fuel restrictions for the island's economic and energy crisis.

Havana steps up defence preparations

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said on Friday that Cuba is strengthening its defence system and is ready to resist any attempt at foreign military aggression against its territory (Куба готується до можливого нападу США на тлі заяв Трампа – Espreso) (Президент Кубы заявил, что страна готовится к возможной военной агрессии США – NV). Speaking at events marking the National Defence Day in Havana, he said the island does not threaten other states and has no plans to attack anyone, but must be ready to protect itself (Kuba und die USA: Kuba bereitet sich laut Präsident Díaz-Canel auf einen US-Angriff vor – ZEIT ONLINE).

Trump's remarks fuel tension

The statement came a day after US President Donald Trump, asked about the possibility of military intervention in Cuba, said he would consider such an option. He also said he wanted to settle the "Cuba question" before his term ends (Präsident Miguel Díaz-Canel: Kubas Führung bereitet sich auf Angriff der USA vor – DER SPIEGEL). In a radio interview, Trump said he wanted Cuba "taken care of" before he leaves office and did not rule out a military operation.

Díaz-Canel accuses Washington of encouraging aggression

Díaz-Canel accused US officials and politicians of repeatedly signalling an intention to carry out military aggression against Cuba, without naming Trump directly. He said the repeated rhetoric was the reason Cuba had activated wartime structures so they could operate in peacetime as well, and had intensified civilian preparedness. He pointed to the Moncada 2026 nationwide military exercises held the previous week and said National Defence Days would now be held weekly.

Economic pressure and energy crisis

Relations between the two countries remain strained by US sanctions and economic pressure. Restrictions on oil supplies have deepened Cuba's economic and energy difficulties. Díaz-Canel described the long-running US embargo, which Havana calls genocidal, as the core problem and demanded it be lifted. Cuba has also suffered repeated nationwide blackouts this year.

What comes next

Cuban officials have not announced specific military measures beyond the exercises and drills described above. Trump has not set out a timetable for any action, and Havana has not said how it would respond to a US operation (Vojenský zásah na Kube? Trump ho nevylúčil a otázku ostrova chce uzavrieť do konca mandátu – Pravda.sk).