HAVANA — Miguel Díaz-Canel warned Tuesday that Cuba would mount “unbreakable resistance” against any attempt by the United States to take over the island, as authorities worked to restore power following a nationwide blackout.
The warning came after Donald Trump intensified rhetoric against Cuba, saying Washington could “take” the country as it faces deepening economic strain under a U.S. oil blockade.
“Faced with the worst-case scenario, Cuba has one guarantee: any external aggressor will encounter an unbreakable resistance,” Díaz-Canel said in a statement.
The crisis was underscored by a total collapse of Cuba’s power grid on Monday. Electricity was partially restored Tuesday, with about two-thirds of the country regaining power, including roughly 45% of Havana. Still, outages of up to 20 hours remain common in parts of the island due to fuel shortages and aging infrastructure.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Cuba’s recent move to allow exiles to invest and own businesses, saying the reforms fall short of the broader free-market changes sought by Washington.
Cuban officials signaled openness to dialogue but drew a firm line on sovereignty. Tanieris Dieguez, deputy chief of mission in Washington, said negotiations with the United States would not include any changes to Cuba’s political system.
“The only thing that Cuba asks for any conversation is respect to our sovereignty and to our right to self-determination,” Dieguez said.
Cuba’s economic situation has worsened following the removal of its key ally, Nicolás Maduro, earlier this year, cutting off a major source of oil. Since January, the island has struggled to import fuel, disrupting electricity generation, aviation, and tourism.
Public frustration has grown amid prolonged blackouts and shortages of basic goods, with some protests reported in recent days. Despite the pressure, Cuban leaders maintain they will resist external interference while seeking limited economic adjustments to stabilize the country.
