Miguel Díaz-Canel says Cuba is preparing to repel possible foreign military aggression

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said his country is preparing to respond to a possible foreign military aggression, after remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump were widely interpreted as a threat to Cuba.

"We are determined to repel any attempt at foreign military aggression against our country," Díaz-Canel said, stressing that Cuba is a peaceful nation and does not pose a threat to U.S. national security.

Trump recently, responding to a question about whether he would consider a military intervention to "liberate" Cuba, said: "I want to finish the job with Cuba before I leave." He described the island as a country in very bad condition.

Díaz-Canel criticised statements by American politicians about possible military action against Cuba without naming Trump directly. His remarks came during the observance of National Defense Day, attended by senior military officials and Communist Party functionaries.

Military readiness and civil defence

The president reiterated that Cuba regularly conducts military exercises and civil defence preparations. He framed the stepped-up training and mobilisation as a response to regional tensions, pointing to what the report described as a U.S. military operation in Venezuela in January, in which President Nicolás Maduro was arrested and taken to the United States.

Officials said the drills and civic preparedness efforts will continue as long as Havana perceives a heightened risk, while emphasising that Cuba seeks to defend its sovereignty without provoking conflict.

Photo: press material from the event