Cuban president promises ‘impregnable resistance’ to any US attempt to control island

Cuban Leader Vows Unyielding Stand Against U.S. Control Efforts

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel asserted that the U.S. would face an unbreakable response if it sought to seize control of Cuba, stating this in a defiant X post on Tuesday. The remark came as electricity began to return to parts of the nation following a widespread blackout that had left millions in darkness.

Over six decades, successive U.S. administrations have aimed to isolate Cuba, Díaz-Canel said, criticizing Washington for using economic vulnerability as a justification for intervention. He described the ongoing economic war as a form of collective punishment, claiming it reflects an “outrageous pretext” for external domination. “Cuba remains steadfast,” he added, “with unwavering determination to resist any aggressor.”

“Only in this way can the fierce economic war be explained, which is applied as collective punishment against the entire people,” Díaz-Canel said. “In the face of the worst scenario, Cuba is accompanied by a certainty: any external aggressor will clash with an impregnable resistance.”

US President Donald Trump had previously mocked Cuba’s leadership, hinting at potential takeovers. On Monday, he suggested he could act freely on the island, and by Tuesday, he reiterated: “We’ll be doing something with Cuba very soon.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed up, stating from the Oval Office that Cuba requires “new people in charge.” “Their economy doesn’t work…They’re in a lot of trouble,” Rubio said, “and the current leaders lack the ability to resolve it.”

The blackout intensified challenges for Cubans, who have already struggled with frequent power cuts. Earlier this year, the U.S. embargo disrupted Cuba’s oil supply, crippling its aging energy infrastructure. On Monday, nearly all 10 million residents faced darkness, forcing them to rely on gas lamps and candles for cooking and lighting. Schools shortened hours, and major sports events were postponed, while waste accumulation disrupted daily life in some areas.

By Tuesday afternoon, power had been restored to approximately 55% of Havana’s residents, along with select regions in the west and central-east. Despite this progress, the outages worsened existing hardships, deepening frustration among the population.

Cubans expressed mixed reactions to the potential for U.S. action. Marianela Alvarez, a Havana resident, told Reuters that the people seek peace over conflict. “We, as civilians, aren’t ready for war,” she said, urging Trump to “leave us alone.” Meanwhile, Luis Enrique Garcia acknowledged concerns about the nation’s stability but remained hopeful for diplomatic talks. “Love should unite human beings,” he said, “not war.”

However, not all shared this optimism. Amed Echenique, a local in Havana, doubted the possibility of meaningful dialogue with Trump. “I don’t trust a conversation with Trump,” he stated, “and I don’t trust him as a person—this doesn’t give me hope.”

Díaz-Canel confirmed earlier that Cuban officials had engaged in discussions with the U.S. to address bilateral issues. While Trump had previously claimed Washington was in talks with Havana, this marked the first acknowledgment from the Cuban capital.