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Díaz-Canel Accuses U.S. of 'Genocidal Policy' and Trying to 'Appropriate' Cuba

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel accused the U.S. government of applying a "genocidal policy" and attempting to "appropriate" Cuba.
  • He compared U.S. officials to Nazis and criticized sanctions, including an oil blockade, as a campaign of "maximum asphyxiation."
  • Díaz-Canel acknowledged Cuba's difficult economic situation and stressed the strategic priority of implementing deep reforms to liberalize the economy.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel drew a stark parallel between the U.S. government and Nazis on Sunday, accusing Washington of enacting a "genocidal policy" aimed at "appropriating the entire country." Speaking in Pinar del Río during the 73rd anniversary of the failed Moncada Barracks assault, Díaz-Canel framed the current moment as one of maximum pressure from the U.S. on Cuba.

Before it was Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Today it is Cuba. Tomorrow it could be any other nation.

— Miguel Díaz-CanelThe Cuban president described the U.S. pressure on Cuba in a global context.

"Before it was Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Today it is Cuba. Tomorrow it could be any other nation," the president stated, warning that Cuba would not be the first or last victim of U.S. policies. He specifically criticized U.S. State Department officials, likening them to medieval scribes of military edicts and Nazi-era document drafters. Díaz-Canel characterized the pressure on Cuba as a "coldly calculated genocide" within a campaign of "maximum asphyxiation," which includes an ongoing oil blockade and waves of secondary sanctions.

This pressure against Cuba is a 'coldly calculated genocide' by the U.S. government.

— Miguel Díaz-CanelDíaz-Canel accused the U.S. of implementing a genocidal policy.

Despite his strong condemnation of U.S. actions, Díaz-Canel acknowledged that Cuba is navigating "one of the most difficult moments in its history." He emphasized that implementing profound and necessary changes to liberalize and decentralize the Cuban economy is a "strategic priority." This includes a package of 176 reforms designed to attract responsible investment and stimulate workers while upholding social justice and supporting vulnerable groups.

The latest sanctions 'break the record of infamy.'

— Miguel Díaz-CanelThe president criticized recent U.S. sanctions against Cuba.

Addressing the Cuban people, Díaz-Canel urged them "not to be afraid of change." He reaffirmed Cuba's commitment to making independent political, economic, and social decisions as a "sovereign country." His speech maintained a critical stance toward the U.S., without indicating any willingness for dialogue between equals or mentioning potential contacts between the two nations. High-ranking government and Communist Party officials attended the event, though notable figures like former President Raúl Castro were absent.

It is a 'strategic priority' to implement deep and necessary changes to liberalize and decentralize the Cuban economy.

— Miguel Díaz-CanelDíaz-Canel outlined the need for economic reforms.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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