Díaz-Canel: US Anger is Result of Failure to Control Cuba

Cuban president says US has long sought to take over the island but has failed in 67 years of revolution.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 6:21am

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Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has stated that the US regime's greatest failure in 67 years of the Cuban revolution has been its inability to seize control of the island. Díaz-Canel condemned the US's inclusion of Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism and the recent executive order threatening to impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island, which has resulted in Cuba receiving no fuel for nearly four months and a collapse of the national electricity grid.

Why it matters

The ongoing tensions between the US and Cuba highlight the long-standing geopolitical rivalry between the two countries, with the US seeking to exert control over the island nation while Cuba has resisted such efforts for decades. This latest escalation raises concerns about potential military intervention by the US against Cuba.

The details

In a speech in Miami, Florida, US President Donald Trump stated that 'Cuba is next' on the list after the Pentagon's attacks on Venezuela and Iran. Trump recalled the recent deployment of US forces to kidnap Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Díaz-Canel, in an interview with La Jornada, said the US's failure to control Cuba has fueled its anger, leading to a tightened embargo since 2019 and more than 240 measures implemented during the first phase of the Trump administration.

  • On Friday, US President Donald Trump made the statement about Cuba during a speech in Miami, Florida.
  • In January, the US deployed forces to kidnap Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
  • Since 2019, the US has tightened its embargo on Cuba and implemented more than 240 measures during the first phase of the Trump administration.

The players

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States who has taken a hardline stance against Cuba and other Latin American countries.

Miguel Díaz-Canel

The President of Cuba who has condemned the US's efforts to control the island and the tightening of the embargo.

Nicolás Maduro

The President of Venezuela who was the target of a US military operation to kidnap him and his wife.

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What they’re saying

“Sometimes you have to use force, and Cuba is next.”

— Donald Trump, US President

“Our political system and any decision that belongs to our people are not at stake.”

— Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of Cuba

“They, who talk so much about free trade and the free market, are imposing on us an energy blockade that is criminal.”

— Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of Cuba

What’s next

The situation remains tense, with the US threatening potential military action against Cuba and Cuba vowing to defend its political system. The international community will be closely watching to see if the US follows through on its threats or if diplomacy can prevail.

The takeaway

This latest escalation in US-Cuba tensions highlights the long-standing geopolitical rivalry between the two countries, with the US seeking to exert control over the island nation while Cuba has resisted such efforts for decades. The situation raises concerns about potential military intervention by the US against Cuba and the broader implications for regional stability.