Cuba will "be ready" for possible U.S. attack amid Trump threats, leader says

Source: Aol/CBS News/AP

Updated Thu, April 16, 2026 at 4:09 PM EDT


Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Thursday that his country will "be ready" for a possible attack from the United States as President Trump's rhetoric against Cuba continues to escalate. Earlier this week, Mr. Trump said his administration could focus on Cuba after the war in Iran ends.

With Cuba's crisis deepening as a result of a U.S. energy blockade, Díaz-Canel said that he does not want U.S. military aggression to come to Cuba. He said that the country will be prepared to fight back if it happens.

"The moment is extremely challenging and calls upon us once again, as on April 16, 1961, to be ready to confront serious threats, including military aggression. We do not want it, but it is our duty to prepare to avoid it and, if it becomes inevitable, to defeat it," Díaz-Canel said.

He spoke as tensions remain high between the two countries, at a rally commemorating the 65th anniversary of a historic speech by the late leader Fidel Castro during a crisis with the United States.

Read more: https://www.aol.com/articles/cuban-leader-says-country-ready-194900828.html