WireMarch 23, 2026 at 1:45 AM
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In a recent interview with NBC News' 'Meet the Press,' Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío revealed that Cuba is actively preparing for the possibility of U.S. military aggression. 'Our military is always prepared, and in fact, it is preparing these days for the possibility of military aggression,' he stated. Fernández de Cossío emphasized that while Cuba hopes such action will not occur, they would be 'naive' not to prepare given current global tensions.
Fernández de Cossío asserted that Cuba is 'absolutely' opposed to regime change, directly responding to recent remarks made by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 'Our country has historically been ready to mobilize, as a nation as a whole, for military aggression,' he added. However, he clarified that Cuba does not believe military action by the U.S. is probable but remains vigilant.
'Cuba is a sovereign country and has the right to be a sovereign country and has the right to self-determination,' Fernández de Cossío said.
Despite Rubio’s long-standing criticism of the Cuban government, Fernández de Cossío expressed Cuba’s readiness to negotiate with U.S.-designated representatives. 'We are ready to negotiate with the person that the U.S. government, as a sovereign nation, designates as their spokesperson, as their lead negotiator,' he said. This statement underscores Cuba’s preference for diplomatic solutions over confrontation.
Fernández de Cossío attributed Cuba’s worsening economic and energy crises to U.S. policies aimed at isolating the regime. 'What does ‘on its own’ mean when it’s being forced by the United States?' he questioned, referencing Trump’s assertion that Cuba could collapse without external intervention. Recent reports have highlighted Cuba’s deepening blackout crisis, exacerbated by U.S. efforts to choke off fuel supplies.
Fernández de Cossío concluded with a conciliatory message, stating, 'Cuba has no quarrel with the United States,' while reaffirming Cuba’s right to sovereignty and self-determination.