“Cuba would be the scene of a war for the entire people if North American imperialism dared to attack us”, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Cuban government reiterated its refusal to negotiate possible political or economic reforms on the island with the United States, despite the , which resorts to military threats.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez, highlighted the refusal on Saturday, at an international meeting with more than 700 trade unionists, left-wing politicians and activists gathered in Havana, in a meeting marked by the threat of American aggression.
“Cuba’s political and economic order is not part of this exchange [dos contactos com os EUA]is not part of it in any way. No internal issue of our people or our revolution is part of the talks with the United States,” he said, according to the transcript released later.
In the opinion of the Cuban Government, added the minister, these issues cannot be part of negotiations with another country. “We will never discuss with the United States issues that concern only the sovereignty, independence and self-determination of Cubans,” he assured.
Rodríguez urged the US Government not to underestimate nationalism within the island and the popular response in the event of a possible attack.
“Cuba would be a hornet’s nest. Cuba would be a death trap. Cuba would be the scene of a war for the entire people if North American imperialism dared to attack us,” he predicted. “Cuba defends itself, defends itself with ideas and will defend itself with weapons”, he warned.
The Cuban minister highlighted that, in any case, the country “acts and will act responsibly.” “Although we prepare for any eventuality, including direct military aggression, we trust that common sense and common sense will prevail before embarking on such a risky adventure,” he said.
The Cuban president also once again criticized the sanctions imposed by the United States after the measures against Havana were expanded. Miguel Díaz-Canel rejects the idea that Cuba is “an extraordinary threat”.
Trump threatened on Friday, but added that he will first “finish the job” in Iran. The comments were made on the same day that Donald Trump tightened sanctions against Cuba, claiming that the country represents “an extraordinary threat” to the national security of the United States.
The new sanctions, decided through a presidential decree, target foreign banks that collaborate with the Cuban government and impose immigration restrictions, increasing pressure on Havana amid the economic crisis.
In this decree, Donald Trump imposes sanctions against people and entities involved in the energy, mining and other sectors of the island, as well as anyone found guilty of “serious violations of human rights”.
Washington accuses the Cuban Government of carrying out “policies and practices designed to harm the United States”, contrary to “the moral and political values of free and democratic societies”.
The Cuban Government described the new sanctions as “illegal and abusive”. “Reprehensible, but curious and ridiculous. The US Government is alarmed and responds with new illegal and abusive unilateral coercive measures against Cuba”, wrote Bruno Rodríguez, on social media.
Rodríguez considered Washington’s new measures a response “to the Labor Day parade with more than half a million Cubans in Havana, led by Army General Raúl Castro and President Miguel Díaz-Canel, and to the signatures of six million Cuban men and women (81% of the population over 16 years old) in defense of the homeland under military threat, denouncing the intensified blockade and energy embargo.” “The Fatherland, the Revolution and Socialism defend themselves with ideas and weapons. They will not intimidate us”, emphasized the Cuban Foreign Minister.
Since last January, the US has been putting pressure on the Cuban Government to implement economic and political reforms. As part of this escalation, Washington imposed an oil blockade that significantly worsened the structural crisis that is already plaguing the Caribbean nation.
