The Cuban ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel accused the United States government on Friday of intensifying its "imperialist aggression" against Cuba and stated that the Island is preparing to resist "new provocations and threats."
"From our position, we are witnessing a moment in which imperialism is emboldened and has once again set its sights on Cuba with increased aggressiveness, which grows in direct correlation to the passing days," stated the leader during the Extraordinary Plenary of the Provincial Committee of the Communist Party in Havana.
Díaz-Canel directly blamed President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for leading a strategy that seeks —he stated— "to completely suffocate the Island and provoke its surrender."
"Given the aggressiveness of imperialism against Cuba, whose direct actions have been clearly announced by Trump, Marco Rubio, and other spokespersons of that government, we must be prepared, and we are preparing," he warned.
The ruler asserts that the current policy of Washington corresponds to a "decadent imperial model" that resorts to violence, coercion, and deceit to maintain its global dominance.
"When an empire is in decline, it is completely irrational, and what can be expected from it is arrogance, overconfidence, blackmail, and coercive measures," he stated.
Díaz-Canel also criticized what he called “the emergence of the annexationist swarm” on social media, which he claimed celebrates the U.S. government's measures against Cuba.
"What worries imperialism is the example of Cuba, what Cuba can achieve without a blockade, and the social results we have attained in 65 years," he said.
The communist leader warned Trump and Rubio that the regime is willing to do anything. He indicated that the country will face "with courage and bravery" any additional measures from the U.S. government. "Never will surrender be an option", he declared.
In this same speech, the ruler asserted that the island “has a willingness to engage in dialogue with the United States government,” although he cautioned that this dialogue “cannot be under pressure.”
Díaz-Canel's statements come amid the deterioration of relations between Washington and Havana following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, where Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores were captured.
The Cuban regime has reiterated its support for the former Venezuelan president and claims that the United States is preparing a similar scenario against Cuba.
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