On his social media account, c the statements made by the U.S. Secretary of State denying the existence of an oil embargo against our country
Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuban Foreign Minister Photo: MINREX
“A few hours ago, the Secretary of State stated that there is no oil embargo against Cuba. He has simply chosen to lie. He contradicts the President and the White House Press Secretary.”
This is how Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla denounced on his social media account the statements made by the high-ranking U.S. official.
“The reality is undeniable: on January 29, 2026, your President signed an Executive Order threatening all countries with tariffs if they export fuel to Cuba,” argued the Political Bureau member.
Referring to the difficult situation Cuba faces due to this measure, he pointed out that “in four months, only one fuel shipment has arrived in Cuba,” adding that “all our suppliers are being intimidated and threatened in violation of free trade and freedom of navigation.”
The Cuban Foreign Minister also emphasized that “the new Executive Order of May 1st establishes secondary sanctions in the energy sector” and stated what is undeniably true, despite attempts to conceal it:
“The Secretary is well aware of the damage and suffering that the criminal oil embargo he himself proposed to his President is causing the Cuban people today.”
“Cuba is a peaceful country that does not attack others”
The Cuban Foreign Minister asserted that the island does not pose a threat to the U.S.
“It is absurd for the State Department to claim that Cuba, a developing country, relatively small and subjected to a brutal economic war, could pose a threat to the world’s greatest military, technological, and economic power.”
This was stated Wednesday via social media by Political Bureau member and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, who added that: “Cuba is a peaceful country that does not attack others, does not allow its territory to be used against others, and has a clean record against terrorism, international organized crime, and violence,” as the U.S. government has tried to demonstrate—unsuccessfully and without argument.
The head of Cuban diplomacy insisted that this information is known to both the U.S. government and its security and defense agencies. “You can’t create pretexts with such weak and fallacious arguments,” he asserted.
Israel is not only committing genocide in Gaza and the West Bank, but is also attacking Lebanon and acting in concert with the U.S. administration in its aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran
“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran clearly and firmly declare that security in the ports of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is for everyone or for no one.” Photo: Al MayadeenPhoto: Granma
This Monday, U.S. Navy forces began blockading the Islamic Republic of Iran, specifically all maritime entry and exit through the Strait of Hormuz.
In response to this illegal and provocative operation, authorities in Tehran warned of a “deadly whirlwind” against any military force involved in the action.
According to the Iranian military spokesperson, “the imposition of restrictions by the United States on maritime navigation in international waters constitutes an illegal act and a clear example of piracy,” according to RT.
According to press reports, simultaneously, the price of oil rose to $104 per barrel and international instability escalated dangerously, both in terms of potential military consequences and the impact on international trade and rising prices for food and other products.
Early in the day, the United States threatened that if the Iranian Navy approaches the U.S. blockade, “it will be eliminated immediately, by swift and brutal means.”
Regarding the controversial and illegal measure, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has reiterated that “the Islamic Republic has full authority over the management of the Strait of Hormuz” and that “any attempt by military vessels in that waterway will be dealt with severely.”
“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran clearly and firmly declare that security in the ports of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is for everyone or for no one,” RT reported.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that “the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz does not serve the interests of the international community,” and that “achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire through political and diplomatic means is the fundamental solution to the conflict in the Middle East.”
Reality shows us a war against Iran, in which, on three occasions, attempts have been made to reach a consensus for dialogue and peace, and on each of those occasions, the United States has derailed the talks; and threats, blockades, and military force are spreading like weeds, while the international community asks: How long will this go on?
Let us remember that in Gaza, Israeli bombings over the past two and a half years have killed more than 100,000 civilians, most of them children, and that every time the UN Security Council has been convened to adopt even a resolution to achieve a ceasefire, the U.S. veto has thwarted the initiative, and thus Israel is not only committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, but is now criminally attacking Lebanon, and is a partner with the U.S. administration in its aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“Surrender is not part of the revolutionaries’ mindset”
Interview given by Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, to Kristen Welker, a journalist for NBC News’ Meet the Press, at the José Martí Memorial on April 9, 2026
Photo: Estudios Revolución
Kristen Welker: President Díaz-Canel, welcome to Meet the Press.
Miguel M. Díaz-Canel: Thank you very much. Thank you for this opportunity, and thank you for being in Cuba.
Kristen Welker: Thank you for inviting us to your beautiful country; it is an honor.
Miguel M. Díaz-Canel: It is a pleasure for us to have you here.
Kristen Welker: Thank you, thank you very much.
I’d like to start with President Trump. He said he has plans to take over Cuba in some way. He said, “I think I can do whatever I want with Cuba.” Do you take Trump’s threats seriously?
Miguel M. Díaz-Canel: I believe that in recent days, many things have been said—not only by the President but also by other U.S. government officials—that truly reflect aggressive language and rhetoric toward Cuba.
One must understand our country’s history. Our country is one whose identity is deeply rooted in the values of sovereignty and independence. For 150 years, Cuba fought, first to free itself from colonial rule and then from neocolonialism. And with the Cuban Revolution, with its triumph in January 1959, a whole range of dependencies was eradicated, along with subjugation and subordination to a foreign power, bringing a host of beneficial consequences for the country—consequences that the Cuban people are not willing to give up.
One of the most brilliant generals of our wars of independence, Antonio Maceo, once said: “Whoever attempts to seize Cuba will only gather the dust of its blood-soaked soil, if they do not perish in the struggle.”
We are a country of peace. We do not promote war; we do not like war; we foster solidarity and cooperation among peoples, but we are prepared to defend the peace we desire; therefore, we are not intimidated, and we do not want to be caught off guard or defeated. That is one interpretation of this threat and Cuba’s position.
The other interpretation that can be given is when they say that Cuba will collapse on its own, and they try to label us a failed state or a country that is going to collapse, which is contradicted by reality: how a country like this has withstood all kinds of pressures and aggressions over 67 years, including, for more than sixty years, the longest-running blockade in history, which is a criminal, genocidal blockade. There is much to be said on these topics, but I do tell you that the Cuban people and the Cuban Revolution are ready to defend themselves.
Kristen Welker: Let’s move on to the next question.
President Trump wants to deal with Cuba the same way he has with President Maduro in Venezuela, and the same way he has in Iran, where he has killed the Supreme Leader. Do you think you could be arrested or assassinated by the U.S. government?
Miguel M. Díaz-Canel.—That’s a very interesting question. I never like it when people draw parallels between Cuba and other nations, because we have our own history, we operate under our own circumstances, and it also shows a lack of understanding of our history, the strength of our unity, and the strength of our institutions.
Those of us who have assumed responsibilities within the Revolution are committed to the Revolution, above all to our heroic people. And that sense of responsibility includes the conviction that we are willing to give our lives for the Revolution, for the cause we defend. Therefore, for me, that is not a concern. If the time comes, I do not believe there is any justification for the United States to provoke an attack on Cuba or for the United States to attempt a surgical strike or the kidnapping of a president in Cuba. If that were to happen, there would be combat, there would be a fight. We will defend ourselves, and if we must die, we will die, because as our National Anthem says: “To die for the Fatherland is to live.”
But there is a misunderstanding here, and that is that the leadership of the Cuban Revolution is always personalized with a single individual. At one time it was personified by the Commander-in-Chief, at another time by the Army General; now they are trying to personify it with me. The fact is that we have a collective leadership in which there is unity, cohesion, ideological unity as well, and revolutionary discipline. Therefore, eliminating one person from the leadership structure of the Revolution does not solve any problem; on the contrary, there are hundreds of people who are capable of assuming that responsibility and making decisions collectively. And we are prepared to face any kind of situation.
