Warning to Washington
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned that any attempt by the United States to take control of Cuba would face “impregnable resistance”, as parts of the island began recovering from a nationwide power grid collapse.
In a message posted on X, Díaz-Canel said successive US administrations had tried to isolate Cuba for more than six decades and accused Washington of using the country’s economic difficulties as a pretext for intervention.
“We are certain that any external aggressor will clash with an impregnable resistance,” he said, describing US pressure as a form of collective punishment against the Cuban people.
Trump and Rubio escalate rhetoric
US President Donald Trump has recently intensified his rhetoric toward Cuba, saying he could “do anything” with the island and adding that the United States would be taking action soon.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also criticised the Cuban leadership, saying the country needs “new people in charge” and arguing that the current government has failed to manage the economy.
Economic crisis and blackout
Cuba has been facing a severe economic downturn after the United States effectively blocked its oil supply earlier this year, leaving the country’s ageing electricity network short of fuel.
A nationwide grid collapse left most of the island’s roughly 10 million residents without power, forcing schools to shorten hours, cancelling major events and disrupting waste collection due to fuel shortages.
By Tuesday afternoon, electricity had been restored to about 55% of customers in Havana, with partial recovery also reported in western and central-eastern regions.
Public concern over conflict
The blackout has worsened living conditions after months of rolling outages, while uncertainty over possible US action has increased anxiety among residents.
Some Cubans told Reuters they hoped for dialogue rather than confrontation, though others said they did not trust negotiations with Washington. Cuban officials confirmed that recent talks with the United States had taken place to discuss bilateral problems, but tensions remain high.
Also read: Trump claims he could “take Cuba” and do “anything I want” with it
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