Cuba's Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, on Wednesday held the United States government responsible for the worsening of the economic crisis the island is facing and stated that the regime is prepared to defend itself "even with weapons" if the country were to be subjected to military aggression.
During his appearance before the National Assembly of People's Power, the foreign minister stated that the international scenario in which Cuba defends its interests "has significantly worsened" and described the situation as "very dangerous." His statements come just days after the speech delivered by Miguel Díaz-Canel on July 26, in which he once again attributed the main economic and social difficulties of the country to the U.S. embargo.
One of the most significant moments of the intervention came when Rodríguez issued a warning regarding the response the regime would give in the event of a military attack.
"We have the duty and the right to reject and confront the aggression that punishes and threatens us, and we have the right and the supreme duty to defend ourselves, even with arms, if we are militarily attacked," he asserted before the deputies, as reported by the official media Cubadebate.
However, the chancellor stated that Havana is not seeking a confrontation with Washington.
"Cuba is not a threat to the United States, nor does it wish to be its adversary or enemy," he assured, while reiterating the regime's willingness to maintain a bilateral dialogue "on the basis of respect."
Rodríguez argued that Washington is executing a "macabre and well-designed plan" to suffocate the Cuban economy by cutting off its sources of financing, access to markets, technology, and essential supplies, including food and medicine.
In that context, he reported the existence of a supposed "total energy blockade" that has been in effect since January 2026.
"These and other significant limitations are compounded by those imposed by the total energy blockade, which has been in effect since January of this year and, by all available means, practically prevents the importation not only of fuels but also of components and parts, including solar panels, as well as any supplies or technology related to electricity generation," he stated.
Attacks on the State Department report and rejection of humanitarian aid
The chancellor also criticized the recent report from the State Department on Cuba, which he described as "superficial, petty, and inconsistent," and accused Washington of trying to "criminalize sympathy for the Cuban Revolution."
He also downplayed the humanitarian aid offered by the United States, claiming that its value is barely equivalent to the economic impact that, according to the regime, is generated by five days of the embargo. He further stated that Washington attempted to obstruct the assistance provided by the World Food Programme.
"The real goal and true inclination of the Government of the United States are not manifested through dialogue or diplomacy, nor through the offer of assistance, but through coercion and the effort to inflict the greatest possible punishment on the Cuban people to achieve their surrender," he stated.
The statements come amidst new sanctions
Rodríguez's intervention comes amid increasing pressure from Washington on Havana.
On May 1, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14404, which expanded the legal framework for imposing sanctions on strategic sectors of the Cuban economy, including energy, defense, and finance. Subsequently, on June 4, the United States personally sanctioned Miguel Díaz-Canel, and on July 23, it extended measures against nine entities linked to the energy sector, including CEINPET, ENERSA, and EINARBO.
As a demonstration of international support for its position, the regime highlighted the vote held on July 7 in the United Nations General Assembly, where 136 countries backed the holding of a debate on the consequences of the U.S. embargo, while nine voted against it.
A crisis impacting the population
The accusations from the Cuban government contrast sharply with the serious situation faced by the island's population.
According to data provided by Miguel Díaz-Canel himself during his speech on July 26, more than 100,000 surgeries remain pending due to power outages and fuel shortages; approximately 118,000 cancer patients lack access to first-line treatments, and in April 2026, over 70% of essential medications were unavailable in state pharmacies.
While the regime attributes this deterioration to the tightening of U.S. sanctions, economists and independent analysts argue that the crisis is also a result of structural problems that have accumulated over decades of centralized management, low productivity, and a lack of economic reforms.
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