Under the weight of blackouts, fuel shortages, tightening of United States sanctions and threats from Donald Trump, the president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, reaffirms his willingness to dialogue, but, at the same time, insists on the need to prepare for possible external aggression.
“Under current conditions, it is possible that they will try to attack Cuba. We must prepare ourselves so that there is no surprise or defeat,” he told the website Opera Mundi in an interview published this Tuesday, 21st. On the 13th, Trump threatened the island. “Maybe we’ll go through Cuba after we finish with Iran,” said the US president,
In the interview, the Cuban leader highlights that military preparation is not offensive in nature. “We do not promote war, we do not encourage it, but we do not fear it if it is necessary to defend the Revolution, the sovereignty and independence of the country”.
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In the diplomatic field, Díaz-Canel reiterates Havana’s openness to dialogue with Washington, but imposes limits. “Cuba has always been historically willing to dialogue with the United States government, as long as this occurs with respect for our political system, our sovereignty and our independence, without impositions and under conditions of equality,” he said.
On Monday, the 20th, a senior diplomat from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs told an official Cuban vehicle that the country’s authorities held talks with representatives from the United States. The Cuban leader emphasized that negotiations are still at an “initial stage”.
Since January, the Trump administration has applied a policy of maximum pressure against the island, demanding changes and a cut in oil imports into the country.
In the interview, Díaz-Canel addresses the importance of international support in the face of this situation, with emphasis on Brazil’s actions. The president classifies the country as “a sister nation” and praises the work of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government in denouncing the blockade.
“We received support from both the government and the Brazilian people and their social movements”, he states, citing donations from organizations such as the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST).
Brazilian support is added to that of countries such as China, Colombia, Mexico and Russia, which send food, inputs and energy support. International organizations also mobilize resources and solidarity actions.
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In his conversation with journalist Breno Altman, the president also analyzes the tightening of the North American blockade, especially in the energy sector, and the direct consequences for the population’s daily lives.
“Practically, what we generate is just enough to guarantee a minimum level of electrical energy for the essential activities of daily life”, he explains.
He reports extreme episodes, such as “moments of 30 consecutive hours of blackout in a community”, which affect everything from work to education and health. “We have a list of more than 96 thousand people awaiting procedures, including more than 11 thousand children.”
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According to Díaz-Canel, school activities were reorganized on the island, with fewer face-to-face classes and more distance learning. Even so, the output is limited. During blackouts, connections are interrupted, making access to educational platforms difficult.
“It’s a criminal policy, truly genocidal. Everything is complicated: transportation, water supply – since, without energy, pumping systems are interrupted – and distribution cycles are prolonged.”
