Cubans prepare for ‘invasion’ as US escalates tensions with long-suffering island

The atmosphere in Havana is thick with a sense of foreboding, as Cubans brace themselves for what feels like an "imminent" US invasion. This isn't mere hyperbole; the "intense pressure campaign" from Washington, characterized by the relentless US oil blockade, has already crippled daily life, leading to frequent power outages and severe shortages of basic necessities like fuel and toilet paper. The building manager's urgent query about our presence during a potential "imperialist attack" is a chilling reflection of the pervasive anxiety and the state's preparedness for the worst-case scenario.

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She needed to know if we would be coming to work during the “imminent” US invasion.

For decades, Cubans have lived under the shadow of potential US military action, a threat often met with dark humor and the resigned expression, "Cuando vienen los americanos" – when the Americans come. However, the recent visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Havana, on a plane emblazoned with "United States of America," has transformed this long-standing threat into a tangible reality for many. The symbolism is potent: the head of the agency historically accused of plotting Fidel Castro's assassination is now engaging directly with Cuban intelligence chiefs, signaling a critical escalation in tensions.

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Cuando vienen los americanos

This heightened state of alert is deeply felt across the island. The narrative within Cuba, heavily influenced by state media and historical memory, frames the US as the "Evil Empire" and the CIA as its primary instrument of subversion. Museums dedicated to "nefarious misdeeds against the revolution" serve as constant reminders of past confrontations. The clandestine nature of the CIA's visit, with blurred faces in official photographs, only fuels suspicion and reinforces the perception of a hostile power operating in the shadows. The Cuban perspective is one of resilience in the face of overwhelming pressure, a nation preparing for conflict while grappling with the daily hardships imposed by external forces.

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If the US is the Evil Empire for the Cuban government, then the head of the CIA, the agency that in the 1960s concocted fantastical plots to assassinate Fidel Castro with exploding cigars and poisoned scuba suits, is Lucifer himself.