Cuba-US tensions: Díaz-Canel says US has no justification for military action

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the United States lacked grounds for any military move against Cuba. Miguel Díaz-Canel spoke on NBC News’ Meet the Press in a translated interview. Miguel Díaz-Canel warned that an invasion would be costly. Miguel Díaz-Canel also said it would harm regional security. Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cubans would resist if attacked.

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Miguel Díaz-Canel said: "If the time comes, I dont think there would be any justification for the United States to launch a military aggression against Cuba, or for the US to undertake a surgical operation or the kidnapping of a president,\". Miguel Díaz-Canel also said: \"If that happens, there will be fighting, and there will be a struggle, and we will defend ourselves, and if we need to die, well die, because as our national anthem says, dying for the homeland is to live.\"

Cuba US tensions and dialogue talks

These remarks came as Cuba US tensions stayed high. Both sides have acknowledged talks. Neither side has shared details. Miguel Díaz-Canel accused the US government of a hostile policy. Miguel Díaz-Canel said the US had no moral standing to demand anything. Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba wanted dialogue on any topic without conditions.

Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba would not accept demands to change its system. Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba was not asking the US to change its own system. Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba had doubts about the American system. Miguel Díaz-Canel linked the warning to leadership duties. Miguel Díaz-Canel said leaders must protect people, the project, and the country.

Cuba US energy blockade and fuel crisis

Cuba blamed a US energy blockade for worsening problems. Cuba said a shortage of petroleum hit health services. Cuba also said public transport suffered. Cuba said production of goods and services fell. Cuba produces only 40 per cent of the fuel it consumes. Cuba said the loss of imports deepened the strain.

Cuba stopped getting key oil shipments from Venezuela after early January events. The source said the US military attacked Venezuela. It also said President Nicolás Maduro was seized. It said Nicolás Maduro was taken to New York. It said Nicolás Maduro faced drug trafficking charges. It added the Trump administration then began a phased plan.

Russia tanker oil shipment and Trump warning on Cuba US ties

A Russian tanker reached Cuba in March with 7,30,000 barrels of crude oil. That cargo marked Cuba’s first oil shipment in three months. Russia promised to send a second tanker. The Trump administration had threatened tariffs in January. The threats covered countries selling or providing oil to Cuba. Yet the tanker was allowed to proceed.

President Donald Trump said: \"Cubas finished,\". President Donald Trump also said: \"They have a bad regime. They have very bad and corrupt leadership and whether or not they get a boat of oil, its not going to matter.\" Miguel Díaz-Canel said the government treated those words as a warning. Miguel Díaz-Canel said: \"You hear that Cuba is next, that Cuba is going to be next, that there are, theres a way out, that theyre going to take over Cuba,\".

Miguel Díaz-Canel said such statements increased concern in Cuba’s leadership. Miguel Díaz-Canel said responsibility required planning for safety. Miguel Díaz-Canel repeated that Cuba preferred talks. At the same time, Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba would defend itself if attacked. Cuba’s fuel shortages and external oil deliveries remained central to the dispute.

With inputs from PTI