Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said the island is prepared for the unlikely possibility of military engagement with the United States amid an oil blockade that has worsened Cuba’s economic crisis. He denied reports that talks with Washington involve negotiating the Cuban government or leadership, calling regime change "absolutely" off the table. President Trump escalated rhetoric about "taking" Cuba, while a senior U.S. general told lawmakers the military is not rehearsing an invasion.
Cuba Says It Is Prepared for Any Potential U.S. Attack as Oil Blockade Deepens Crisis
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio speaks during a press conference following an armed incident involving a Florida-registered speedboat and a Cuban patrol, in Havana, Cuba, February 26, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Alien Cabrera
NEW YORK, March 22 — Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said the island is prepared for the unlikely prospect of a military confrontation with the United States, responding to remarks by President Donald Trump about "taking" the country.
Havana and Washington entered talks earlier this month after an oil blockade imposed by the Trump administration intensified Cuba’s economic distress. On Monday, Trump escalated rhetoric by saying he expected to have the "honor" of taking Cuba, prompting a strong Cuban response.
Officials Respond
"Our country has historically been ready to mobilize as a nation as a whole for military aggression ... We don't believe it is something that is probable, but we would be naive if we do not prepare," de Cossio told NBC's "Meet the Press." "We don't see why it would have to occur, and we find no justification whatsoever."
De Cossio rejected media reports that discussions with the U.S. include negotiations over the make-up, structure or membership of the Cuban government. He said regime change is "absolutely" off the table in talks with Washington.
Some outlets had reported that the Trump administration might be seeking to remove President Miguel Diaz-Canel from power; de Cossio called those suggestions untrue. Separately, the top U.S. general responsible for American forces in Latin America told U.S. lawmakers on Thursday that the military is not rehearsing an invasion of Cuba nor actively preparing to take over the island.
Context: The comments underline heightened tensions even as both countries engage in talks. Cuba emphasizes preparedness and sovereignty while denying any negotiation over its leadership, and U.S. military officials downplay any imminent threat of invasion.
(Reporting by Nicole Jao in New York; Edited by Sergio Non and Chris Reese.)
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