Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Sunday rejected threats from US President Donald Trump and vowed to defend the island’s sovereignty after Washington abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a key Cuban ally.
Writing on X, Diaz-Canel said Cuba is “free, independent and sovereign,” adding that no foreign power dictates its actions and that the nation stands ready to defend the homeland. The statement signaled a sharp escalation in rhetoric between Havana and Washington.
Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez also pushed back, saying the government has not received compensation for security services to other countries.
Moreover, he stressed that Cuba retains the right to import fuel from any willing supplier. Historically, the island has sourced most of its fuel from Venezuela and Mexico, a reality that US sanctions have complicated. Nevertheless, Rodriguez accused the United States of acting in a criminal manner that endangers global peace.
Washington rhetoric draws regional reaction
Trump’s comments on Cuba follow his administration’s seizure of Maduro and come as he signals tougher stances toward countries. In recent days, he has issued warnings directed at Colombia, Mexico, Iran and Greenland.
Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers praised Trump’s aggressive posture. Florida Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart posted in Spanish on X that the moment marks the beginning of the end for the Cuban government. He argued that Cuba would become free after decades of hardship under its current leadership.
However, Cuban officials dismissed such claims as external interference and reaffirmed their commitment to national independence.
