Cuba's Diaz-Canel slams US 'suffocation', rejects collapse claims

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has accused Washington of attempting to economically suffocate the island nation to trigger the collapse of the Cuban Revolution, rejecting claims that the country faces imminent breakdown and demanding that any diplomatic engagement occur without preconditions.

'No dialogue under oppression'

Diaz-Canel told the Brazilian daily Folha de S.Paulo that diplomatic channels with Washington remain stalled despite informal contacts between officials, emphasizing that Havana seeks engagement free from external coercion. "There can be no dialogue under oppression. We need to seek a channel for dialogue without preconditions," he said, accusing the Trump administration of attempting to provoke a "social explosion" through economic strangulation designed to topple the revolution.

The Cuban leader specifically referenced remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alleging that Washington aims to eliminate all economic alternatives available to the Caribbean island. He rejected negotiations conducted under conditions of duress while maintaining that government officials have maintained sporadic communication with their US counterparts.

Economic resilience despite shortages

He dismissed suggestions that Cuba stands on the brink of systemic failure despite chronic shortages of fuel, electricity, food and medical supplies, noting that the nation confronts these challenges with "enormous creativity and the historic resilience of the Cuban people." While acknowledging bureaucratic inefficiencies and delays in implementing domestic reforms, Diaz-Canel attributed the island's economic contraction primarily to the long-standing US blockade.

Cuba's economy has shrunk by approximately 15% since he assumed office, according to figures cited by the newspaper, with persistent power outages and fuel scarcities compounding public hardship across the island. The economic measures approved by parliament in June aim to address these structural deficiencies while preserving the socialist framework.

Reform agenda defended

The president defended the package of 176 reforms, stating that expanding opportunities for private businesses and foreign investment serves to strengthen rather than abandon the socialist economic model. He rejected characterizations that these changes represent a shift toward capitalism, arguing instead that they constitute necessary adjustments to ensure the revolution's survival amid external pressure.

The interview comes amid heightened bilateral tensions as the Trump administration intensifies sanctions pressure on Havana. Diaz-Canel maintained that Cuba will defend its sovereignty against external interference while remaining open to normalized relations should Washington abandon coercive tactics.