The President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has declared that his country does not seek war with the United States but will defeat American forces if they attempt a military invasion.
His remarks were made on April 16, 2026, during a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, a failed 1961 operation by Cuban exiles backed by the United States that aimed to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro.
Speaking at the event while wearing a military uniform, Díaz-Canel urged citizens to remain prepared for potential threats to national security, including possible military aggression.
“We must prepare to face serious challenges that could threaten our stability, including military attacks,” he said. “We do not want it, but it is our duty to be ready to confront it and defeat it if it becomes inevitable.”
He added that as long as Cuban men and women are willing to sacrifice their lives to defend the revolution, the country will remain strong and independent.
The statement came just days after the U.S. President, Donald Trump, suggested that American forces currently engaged in other global conflicts could turn their attention to Cuba once those wars end.
Trump has previously expressed interest in political change in Cuba and has intensified pressure on the island through sanctions and other measures.
Tensions between the two countries have risen in recent months amid economic difficulties in Cuba and renewed political rhetoric between Havana and Washington. Despite the growing tensions, Díaz-Canel emphasized that Cuba does not wish for military confrontation but will defend itself if necessary.
