Cuba's Diaz-Canel says it is preparing for possible US aggression amid energy blockade

Record ID: 2367353

  • Title: Cuba's Diaz-Canel says it is preparing for possible US aggression amid energy blockade
  • Date: 21st March 2026
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (MARCH 20, 2026) (AGENCY POOL) CUBAN PRESIDENT MIGUEL DIAZ-CANEL GREETING PARTICIPANTS AT SOLIDARITY ACT WITH CUBA EVENT PARTICIPANTS APPLAUDING DIAZ-CANEL AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE OFFICIALS APPLAUDING CUBAN FLAG HANGING NEXT TO A BANNER READING (Spanish) "Latin America and the Caribbean, zone of peace" FOREIGN MEMBERS OF SOLIDARITY GROUPS WITH CUBA DIAZ-CANEL
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Cuba Humanitarian aid U.S. blockade USA
  • Location: HAVANA, CUBA
  • City: HAVANA, CUBA
  • Country: Cuba
  • Topics: Fundamental Rights/Civil Liberties,South America / Central America,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001615021032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel told a group of foreign activists bringing humanitarian aid to the island on Friday (March 20) that Cuba was preparing for possible U.S. aggression. 
    Speaking at a solidarity event in Havana, Diaz-Canel quoted U.S. President Donald Trump as saying that all possible pressure had been applied to Cuba and that the only option remaining was to take over and destroy everything. 
    The Cuban leader emphasized that the country had launched a defence preparation plan based on the concept of a "war of all the people," which he described as defensive rather than aggressive. 
    Diaz-Canel also stressed that Cuba's revolutionary leadership remained united and that all decisions were made collectively, with historic leader Army General Raul Castro still present in the leadership. 
    According to earlier statements from Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister, the political system and presidency are not subject to negotiation with the United States, following reports that Washington sought to remove Diaz-Canel from power. 
    The Trump administration has imposed an oil blockade on the Communist-run nation, pushing it deeper into economic crisis as bilateral talks reportedly continue. Cuba entered discussions with Washington amid the crisis, though the U.S. proposal reportedly includes an "off-ramp" for Diaz-Canel with two years remaining in his presidential term.
    (Production: Alien Fernandez, Mario Fuentes, Hugo Monnet)
  • Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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