Cuban president accuses US of genocide, seeking takeover

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has accused the United States of perpetrating "genocide" against the Cuban people and aiming to seize control of the Caribbean island. His strong condemnation came during a rally on Sunday in Pinar del Rio, which commemorated the 73rd anniversary of the 1953 uprising against dictator Fulgencio Batista.

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I denounce that Cuba is the victim of a cold-bloodedly calculated genocide.

The president's anger was directed at ongoing U.S. pressure, particularly a severe oil embargo implemented in January. This embargo has led to daily blackouts lasting over 20 hours and has exacerbated Cuba's worst economic crisis in decades. Diaz-Canel described the U.S. actions as "economic strangulation" and a "genocidal policy" designed to "suffocate an entire people in order to appropriate the country."

International companies like Visa, Mastercard, Melia Hotels, Air Canada, and Air France have withdrawn from Cuba amidst the crisis. Employers have been forced to reduce workdays, industrial production has halted, and shortages of water and medicine are widespread. These issues compound existing problems from previous U.S. sanctions and domestic financial reforms that fueled inflation.

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The US, Diaz-Canel said on Sunday, was engaged in “economic strangulation” through its actions.

Relations between the U.S. and Cuba have historically been tense, deteriorating significantly under the Trump administration. Recent U.S. actions include a State Department report accusing Cuba of running espionage networks and indicting former Cuban leader Raul Castro for alleged crimes related to the 1996 downing of two civilian planes. Cuba has rejected these accusations, and bilateral talks have largely stalled.

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Cuba is today waging a historic battle … against the walls of a genocidal policy whose objective is to suffocate an entire people in order to appropriate the country.