Cuba’s president issues warning to US over invasion or ouster plans

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has said the United States has no legitimate grounds to launch a military attack on the island or attempt to remove him from power.

In an interview with Meet the Press on NBC News, Díaz-Canel warned that any invasion of Cuba would come at a heavy cost and destabilise the wider region. However, he made it clear that Cuba would resist if such a scenario unfolded.

“If the time comes, I don’t think there would be any justification for the United States to launch a military aggression against Cuba, or to carry out a surgical operation or the kidnapping of a president,” he said.

He added that Cubans would be prepared to fight back at all costs: “If that happens, there will be fighting. There will be a struggle. We will defend ourselves—and if we need to die, we’ll die. As our national anthem says, ‘Dying for the homeland is to live.’”

The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Havana and Washington, even as both sides acknowledge that talks are taking place without publicly sharing details.

Díaz-Canel accused the US of pursuing a “hostile policy” toward Cuba and said it lacks the moral authority to dictate terms. While expressing openness to dialogue, he insisted it must be without preconditions—particularly demands to change Cuba’s political system.

“We are willing to discuss any issue,” he said, “but without conditions. We are not demanding changes from the American system, even though we have our own doubts about it.”

Cuba has blamed US measures—particularly restrictions affecting fuel supplies—for worsening its economic crisis, including severe shortages impacting healthcare, transport, and production.

The situation has been compounded by disrupted oil shipments, especially from Venezuela, and only recently eased by limited supplies from Russia. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has maintained a hard line on Cuba, dismissing its leadership and signalling continued pressure.

Díaz-Canel said such rhetoric is being taken seriously in Havana.

“When you hear that Cuba is next, that they’re going to take over Cuba—that is a warning,” he said. “As leaders, we have a responsibility to protect our people, our project and our country.”