German Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejected any justification for a U.S. military intervention in Cuba this Monday during a joint press conference with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held in Hannover, as part of the Hannover Messe 2026 industrial fair.
"Despite all the internal political problems this country has with its communist regime, there is no discernible threat emanating from Cuba towards other countries," declared Merz, in one of his most direct and public departures from President Donald Trump's foreign policy.
The chancellor was explicit in stating that Washington should resolve its differences with Havana peacefully and through diplomatic means, and not unnecessarily initiate a new conflict in the world that will only cause more problems.
Merz also established a clear conceptual boundary: "The ability to defend oneself does not imply the right to intervene militarily in other states when their political systems do not align with what others may have in mind."
The statements come in the context of an unprecedented escalation of Trump's foreign policy in 2026, which has already carried out two military interventions: the overthrow of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela on January 3 and joint attacks with Israel against Iran on February 28.
After those operations, Trump targeted Cuba as the next objective. On March 27, he stated in Miami: "Cuba is next, by the way, but please pretend I didn't say this." Days later, he hinted that he could "stop in Cuba" after finishing with Iran, and on that same day, USA Today reported that the Pentagon is accelerating discreet plans for a possible intervention.
Since January 29, Trump signed Executive Order 14380, which imposes tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba, exacerbating an energy crisis that causes power outages of up to 30 hours a day in more than 64% of the island's territory.
Lula described the U.S. embargo on Cuba as a "worldwide shame," imposed for "ideological" reasons, and flatly rejected any invasion.
"I am against the lack of respect for the territorial integrity of nations; I am against any country in the world interfering and exerting political influence," stated the Brazilian leader.
The Cuban regime, for its part, declared 2026 "Year of Preparation for Defense" and activated military maneuvers. Ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel warned that Cuba would respond to an invasion with a "guerrilla war" led by the entire population.
Merz's position on Cuba fits into a pattern of selective distancing from Trump; he had already criticized the easing of sanctions on Russia on March 14 and rejected the attacks against Iran for violating international law.
Lula concluded the press conference with a phrase that encapsulated the joint stance of both leaders: "A lot of dialogue, a lot of diplomacy, a lot of democracy: that is what we need to solve the world's problems, not weapons."
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