Cuban president promises ‘impregnable resistance’ to any US attempt to control island

Cuban President Vows Unshakable Resistance Against US Takeover Threats

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel emphasized Tuesday that Cuba would resist any U.S. effort to gain control of the island, following a widespread power failure that disrupted daily life. The outages, which left most of the country without electricity, were described by Díaz-Canel as a catalyst for unity against external pressures.

Speaking on social media, the president criticized successive U.S. administrations for decades of economic sanctions, calling their current actions a “shameful excuse” to assert dominance. “This approach explains the harsh economic war imposed as punishment on the entire population,” he wrote. “Despite the crisis, Cuba remains steadfast: any aggressor will face an unbreakable defense.”

Earlier this year, the U.S. imposed restrictions on Cuba’s oil supply, crippling its aging power infrastructure. By Monday, over 10 million Cubans were affected by the blackout, forcing families to rely on gas lamps and candles. Schools and sports events were canceled, and neighborhoods faced waste accumulation due to halted garbage collection.

By Tuesday afternoon, approximately 55% of Havana residents had regained electricity, with some areas in western and central-eastern regions also recovering. However, the outages highlighted worsening hardships for Cubans, who have endured frequent power cuts for months. The crisis amplified tensions over potential U.S. intervention, though civilians like Marianela Alvarez urged restraint. “We aren’t ready for war,” she said. “I want Trump to let us be.”

Meanwhile, U.S. officials continued to press their case. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Cuba required “new leadership” to address its economic struggles. “Their system isn’t functioning… they’re in crisis, and the current leaders can’t fix it,” Rubio claimed from the White House.

Trump had previously hinted at plans to “do something” with Cuba, and his team reiterated the urgency of the situation. Yet, not all Cubans shared the same sentiment. Luis Enrique Garcia expressed concern for his nation but remained hopeful for dialogue. “Love should bring people together, not conflict,” he said. However, Amed Echenique doubted Trump’s commitment to peace. “I don’t trust him,” the resident noted. “Even with what I know, he doesn’t inspire confidence.”

Díaz-Canel confirmed that Cuban officials had engaged in talks with the U.S. to address mutual challenges. This marked the first official acknowledgment of negotiations from Havana, despite Trump’s earlier claims of ongoing discussions. The meeting underscored Cuba’s resolve to defend its sovereignty amid mounting pressure.