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President Donald Trump published an official message on Wednesday from the White House on the occasion of the 124th anniversary of Cuban Independence Day, in which he described the Castro regime as "a direct betrayal of the nation for which its founding patriots bled and died."
In the statement, Trump draws a parallel between Cuban independence on May 20, 1902 and the 250th anniversary of American independence, celebrated this year, to reaffirm the values of freedom, hard work, and faith in God of the Cuban people in the face of nearly seven decades of communist rule.
"Over almost seven decades, the communist government of the island has violently dismantled political freedom, denied its people fair elections, cruelly silenced dissent, and strangled the Cuban economy to the point of collapse," wrote the leader.
Trump accused the ruling elite of being a "kleptocratic elite" that hoards the island's resources to maintain its "luxurious lifestyle" while the people suffer.
The message also directly targets military leaders: "Their military leaders have shown no interest in ensuring the prosperity of the Cuban people, focusing solely on maintaining control and the regime's primary purpose: violently exporting communism and despotism abroad."
In the statement, Trump reviewed the actions of his administration against the regime and its regional allies.
He highlighted the capture and extradition of Nicolás Maduro in January 2026 as "one of the most daring and impressive special operations in generations," and warned that this operation sent a direct message to Havana.
"This is our hemisphere, and those who destabilize it and threaten the United States will face consequences," said the president.
Trump stated that he has imposed "new and powerful sanctions" against the Cuban military and intelligence apparatus, as well as against those who provide them with material and financial support.
The message is framed within a systematic policy of maximum pressure that the Trump administration has maintained against Cuba since the beginning of its second term.
This Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also addressed a video to the Cuban people in which he offered a "new relationship" between the United States and Cuba. Additionally, he reiterated the humanitarian assistance of $100 million in food and medicine, conditional on their distribution by trusted entities, not by the Cuban State.
Trump concluded his message with a direct promise to the Cuban people and the millions of Cuban-Americans: "We will not rest until the people of Cuba regain the freedom for which their ancestors fought so bravely over 100 years ago."
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