Cuba Prepares for 'Aggression' Amid Mounting U.S. Tensions

Havana's Deputy Foreign Minister warns the nation's military is actively preparing for potential U.S. military action, asserting it would be "naive" to disregard the possibility amidst a backdrop of escalating diplomatic friction and economic sanctions.

Havana's Military Readiness

Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, stated on Saturday that the nation's military is making active preparations for "the possibility of military aggression" from the United States. Speaking to NBC News' "Meet the Press" in an interview aired Sunday, Fernández de Cossío emphasized the necessity for Cuba's leadership to consider such a scenario.

He asserted that it would be "naive" for the country's leaders to overlook the prospect of conflict, particularly "looking at what’s happening around the world." Despite these preparations, Fernández de Cossío conveyed Cuba's hope that such an event would not occur, stating, "We don’t see why it would have to occur, and we find no justification whatsoever."

Escalating U.S. Rhetoric and Sanctions

Tensions between the U.S. and Cuba have intensified significantly in recent months, particularly following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela. That operation led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a close ally of Cuba, further straining regional dynamics.

In the aftermath of the Venezuela operation, U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued stern warnings regarding Cuba. Secretary Rubio, in particular, suggested that military intervention in Cuba could be imminent, remarking at the time, "If I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I’d be concerned."

The U.S. has also intensified economic pressures on the island nation. In January, President Trump signed an executive order threatening to impose tariffs on goods from countries that sold or provided oil to Cuba. This measure, described by Cuban officials as a "blockade," has severely impacted the island's energy supply. Residents have endured daily power outages, and the country's power grids experienced three collapses within the month.

President Trump's rhetoric has further fueled the strained relationship. Earlier this month, he stated that Cuba "is going to fall pretty soon" and its leaders "want to make a deal so badly." Days later, Trump told reporters he would have the "honor" of taking over Cuba, claiming, "I think I could do anything I want with it." These comments followed an acknowledgment by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canal that Cuban leaders were indeed in talks with U.S. leaders to forge an agreement and avoid military conflict.

Economic Pressures and Cuban Response

Fernández de Cossío directly attributed the severe fuel shortages to U.S. actions, explaining that Washington "is threatening with coercive measures countries that might export fuel to Cuba." He described the situation as "very severe" and expressed hope that "fuel will reach Cuba one way or the other, and that this boycott that the United States has been imposing does not last and cannot be sustained forever."

Responding to President Trump's comments about "taking Cuba," Fernández de Cossío affirmed the island's sovereignty. "We don’t know what they’re talking about," he said, adding, "Cuba is a sovereign country and has the right to be a sovereign country."

The Cuban official also addressed recent remarks by Secretary Rubio, who suggested earlier this week that Cuba is "in a lot of trouble" and its leaders "don’t know how to fix it, so they have to get new people in charge." Fernández de Cossío firmly rejected the notion of regime change as a topic for negotiation between the two nations. He insisted that "the nature of the Cuban government, the structure of the Cuban government and the members of the Cuban government are not part of the negotiation. That is something that no sovereign country negotiates."

When asked whether Cuban leaders would consider allowing multiple political parties, Fernández de Cossío criticized the U.S. political system, highlighting it as a domestic issue for Cuba.

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