Cuba's Díaz-Canel vows to defend sovereignty as tensions with U.S. escalate

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel on Friday called on the nation to defend its sovereignty against what he characterized as "brutal" pressure from Washington and a "genocida, criminal e inhumano" blockade that has lasted more than 60 years, describing it as having intensified exponentially in recent weeks.

Speaking at a reception for hundreds of politicians and activists who arrived as part of the Convoy Nuestra América, a solidarity initiative with Cuba, Díaz-Canel declared: "Vamos a dar la vida defendiendo la Revolución." He emphasized that decisions made in Cuba "are also for the rest of the world" and stressed that "the direction of the Revolution is united."

The president criticized Western hemisphere politicians whom he said are "lamiéndole la bota a los representantes del imperio" and "subordinándose vergonzosamente" to orders to isolate Cuba, though he did not name specific countries. His remarks came amid recent policy shifts by Ecuador and other regional governments.

The escalation of rhetoric coincided with a symbolic gesture by the Cuban government toward renowned singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez. On Tuesday, the 79-year-old musician wrote on his blog Segunda Cita that he was prepared to abandon music and take up arms if conflict with the United States materialized. "Exijo mi AKM, si se lanzan. Y conste que lo digo muy en serio," he wrote, referring to the Soviet-designed Kaláshnikov rifle.

Rodríguez's statement came in response to President Díaz-Canel's assertion that Cuba would mount "una resistencia inexpugnable" against any external aggressor. On Friday, during a ceremony marking National Defense Day and organized by the Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces, Defense Minister Álvaro López Miera presented Rodríguez with an AKM rifle along with a carrying permit. According to Cuban officials, the musician received both a replica and a functional rifle, along with documentation recognizing his "patriotic disposition to take up arms to defend the Homeland against any aggression by the U.S. Government."

The exchange between Rodríguez and the government reflected a historical Cuban doctrine holding that each citizen is essentially a potential soldier prepared to defend the revolution against foreign aggression.

The heightened tensions follow recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump. On Monday, Trump said he expected to have "the honor of taking Cuba, de alguna manera." The Trump administration has also threatened other nations with sanctions if they send fuel to Cuba, seeking to intensify pressure on the island.

Cuba has faced a severe fuel crisis since January 9, when the United States captured Venezuela's president and took control of its petroleum exports, which had been Cuba's primary energy source. A Russian oil tanker carrying petroleum has been under scrutiny as it navigates the Atlantic Ocean, with analysts uncertain whether it is destined for Cuba. If Russia attempts to deliver fuel to the island, officials said it could represent a crucial lifeline for the Cuban government and a potential new confrontation between superpowers over control of the island.