Cuba Prepares for Possible U.S. Invasion, Says Deputy Foreign Minister

Cuba is getting ready for a potential U.S. invasion, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossio. This statement comes even as officials from the Trump administration suggest there are currently no plans for military action against the island. It’s, well, a bit confusing, right?

In a recent interview, Fernández de Cossio stated, “Our armed forces are always prepared and, in fact, have recently prepared for a possible military invasion.” He stressed that it’s naive not to be ready when considering the current global landscape.

However, he expressed a hope that such a scenario would never come to pass. “We don’t see why it has to happen, and we don’t see any justification for it. Why would the U.S. government force military action against a neighboring country like Cuba?” That’s a fair question, I guess.

Cuban Government’s Stance

His comments came shortly after President Trump mentioned it would be a “great honor” to take over Cuba. It’s like, really? Despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushing for diplomacy with the island, Trump has hinted, “I think we can somehow take Cuba… I mean, liberate it.” There’s definitely a mix of messages here.

Rubio went on to say that Cuba is facing numerous issues, and that it would be best to appoint someone new to tackle those problems. It sounds like both sides are a bit divided on the best approach.

Fernández de Cossio reaffirmed that Cuba is “absolutely” against any regime change and is indeed preparing for potential military actions, which contradicts the more diplomatic tones coming from the U.S. officials. “Our country has historically been prepared to mobilize for military invasion,” he said. Yet, he added that it’s something they believe is unlikely to occur.

He went on to say, “We don’t believe it can happen. But if we’re not prepared, we’re naive.” That kind of makes sense. When asked about the U.S.’s stance, he mentioned, “Really, we don’t know what they’re saying.”

Cuba’s Sovereignty

Fernández de Cossio indicated that Cuba asserted its right to self-determination. “Cuba will not accept becoming a vassal state,” he said, emphasizing their sovereignty. He also mentioned that Cuba is open to negotiations with whoever the U.S. designates for discussions, despite Rubio’s critical remarks about the Cuban government.

In the meantime, Cuban diplomats have painted their position as self-protective, insisting they want a “respectful relationship” with the U.S. while attributing the island’s economic struggles to American pressure and supply blockades. It’s quite a delicate situation, really.

“What do you mean ‘on its own’ when you’re being forced to do so by the United States?” he questioned, responding to Trump’s assertion that Cuba could simply collapse without interference. Those kinds of statements surely complicate things.

Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister ultimately conveyed that, while they need to protect themselves, they are also willing to engage in meaningful dialogue. “We’re open for business… If we can sit down and have a meaningful conversation, I’m confident the majority of Americans will support it.” It’s a tricky path forward, for sure.