Cuban President says country will "be ready" for possible U.S. attack
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel says that while Cuba does not want military aggression from the United States, his country is prepared to fight back.
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.
Mr. Trump said earlier this week, "We may stop by Cuba after we finish with this," he said. He described the island as a "failing nation" and asserted that it's "been a terribly run country for a long time."