Cuba’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, outright rejected the possibility that the island could end up in a situation similar to that of Puerto Rico or face an intervention akin to what occurred in Venezuela. He assured that any attempt to alter the political status of the country would be resisted by the regime.
The statements were made during an interview given to Al Jazeera Arabic, recorded in Havana on July 24 and broadcast this Monday by the Cuban Foreign Ministry.
When directly asked if Cuba could become a territory under the control of the United States, like Puerto Rico, or face a similar operation to that which culminated in the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, Fernández de Cossío responded:
"Any of those two options, or others, may be on their minds, but none of them is acceptable for Cuba."
The Cuban Foreign Ministry highlighted as the central message of the interview another statement from the deputy minister, published on his official X account:
«Cuba will not accept less than what it enjoys today and what it achieved nearly 70 years ago: full sovereignty and the complete rights of the Cuban nation.»
The statements come at one of the most tense moments between Havana and Washington in recent years. Since early 2026, the administration of President Donald Trump has imposed around 250 sanctions against the Cuban regime, including the most recent round announced on July 23, targeting nine entities and two high-ranking officials linked to GAESA, the energy sector, and the medical missions program.
Fernández de Cossío attributed this hardening to the foreign policy of the United States, which he described as "extremely hostile," and to the influence of the anti-Castro lobby, which he portrayed as "a very small minority but with significant influence" within American politics.
A communication channel without results
During the interview, the deputy minister also confirmed that Havana agreed to participate in a communication channel proposed by Washington, although he insisted that he never considered it a formal negotiation.
"We do not use the word negotiations because we were not negotiating anything concrete," he explained.
According to the official, the contacts did not progress because the United States "continues to mistakenly believe that it can impose its conditions on Cuba and extract concessions regarding our political and constitutional system."
This position contrasts with that expressed on July 22 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that Washington is willing to engage in dialogue, but only if the regime undertakes "real changes," such as the release of political prisoners and political and economic reforms.
"There will be a bloodbath."
The question about a possible scenario like that of Venezuela has gained importance after President Donald Trump stated on July 16 that the United States “could do that with Cuba”, referring to the operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. The president added at that time that “many things are going to happen in Cuba in the next perhaps two months.”
In light of that possibility, Fernández de Cossío asserted that the defense of the island falls exclusively to Cuba, although he noted that allied countries could intervene if they so decided.
The deputy minister also issued a warning about the consequences of a potential U.S. military action.
"It won't be easy. It will cause massive loss of life, destruction, and could lead to a bloodbath. There will also be casualties on the side of the United States," he stated.
Regarding a possible international mediation, he considered it unnecessary because both countries maintain diplomatic relations and have embassies in their respective capitals, although he stated that Cuba would welcome the participation of a country that advocates for respect for international law and the sovereignty of the island.
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