In a comprehensive press conference at Havana’s Palace of the Revolution, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez addressed the nation’s escalating tensions with the United States and detailed Cuba’s strategic response to what he termed an “energy blockade” against the island nation. The February 5th appearance came amid growing concerns about fuel shortages and increased U.S. pressure following recent events in Venezuela.
President Díaz-Canel characterized U.S. policy toward Cuba as operating through “two fundamental directions: economic suffocation dating to the 1960s Mallory Memorandum, and military aggression.” He referenced recent Executive Orders from the Trump administration that threaten third-party countries with tariffs for supplying oil to Cuba, effectively creating a naval blockade that has prevented Venezuelan fuel shipments from reaching Cuban ports since December.
The Cuban leader presented a multi-faceted response strategy centered on energy sovereignty and national defense preparedness. “We must learn to live using our energy sources,” Díaz-Canel stated, outlining an updated energy transition plan that aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports through accelerated development of renewable resources.
Significant progress has already been achieved in renewable energy infrastructure, with the installation of 49 photovoltaic parks adding approximately 1,000 megawatts of capacity in 2025 alone. This represents a remarkable leap from 3% to 10% renewable contribution to Cuba’s electricity grid. The government plans to continue this expansion throughout 2026, with 98 additional megawatts scheduled for February and 58 more in March.
The energy strategy includes innovative approaches such as renewable energy with storage capacity, allowing solar power generated during daylight hours to supply electricity at night. Additionally, the government is deploying 5,000 domestic photovoltaic systems to homes without grid access, potentially achieving 100% electrification nationwide. Another 10,000 systems are being allocated to healthcare and education workers through subsidized payment plans.
Díaz-Canel also addressed Cuba’s defense preparations, confirming that the country has activated its “War of the Whole People” doctrine in response to heightened U.S. threats. This includes declaring Saturdays as national defense days and updating transition plans for a potential state of war. “We revolutionaries know what it means to defend a revolution,” he stated, emphasizing that these measures are purely defensive in nature.
The President vigorously denied U.S. allegations of Cuba sponsoring terrorism, turning the accusation back against Washington: “How can a country that has been a victim of terrorism by the very person who is accusing us talk about terrorism in Cuba?” He cited historical examples of U.S.-backed terrorist attacks against Cuba, including the 1976 bombing of Cubana de Aviación Flight 455 that killed 73 people.
Regarding international relations, Díaz-Canel rejected characterization of Cuba’s relationship with Venezuela as “dependency,” instead framing it as cooperation based on “principles of solidarity, integration and complementarity.” He highlighted achievements through ALBA-TCP, including the Miracle Mission that restored vision to 3.5 million Latin Americans and literacy programs that eliminated illiteracy in four nations.
The Cuban leader expressed openness to dialogue with the United States, but only under conditions of “equal footing, respect for our sovereignty, our independence, our self-determination, without addressing issues that we may understand as interference in our internal affairs.”
Despite current challenges, Díaz-Canel projected confidence in Cuba’s resilience: “We are going to overcome them together, with creative resistance, with the effort and talent of all Cubans.” He pointed to international support from countries including Russia, China, Mexico, and South Africa, as well as statements from the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of Friends in Defense of the United Nations Charter.
The government is implementing emergency measures based on lessons from the 1990s Special Period, focusing on fuel conservation and allocation to priority sectors. Detailed directives will be announced in coming days through appropriate ministerial channels.
President Díaz-Canel concluded by emphasizing Cuba’s commitment to its socialist development path while implementing necessary economic transformations, including greater autonomy for state enterprises and municipalities, and enhanced engagement with both state and non-state economic sectors.
