‘Even if Cuba’s Population Falls to Zero’: Ambassador Warns of Fight to the Death Against US

Cuba's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ismara Mercedes Vargas Walter, issued a stark warning to Washington: the island nation will fight any potential US invasion to the bitter end. Speaking from the Cuban embassy in London, she declared that her country would defend itself "even if it reduces the Cuban population to zero," a defiant statement amid escalating tensions and increased US pressure in the Caribbean.

Vargas Walter accused the Trump administration of "profound cynicism and opportunism" following the indictment of Raúl Castro, Cuba's former defense minister, for ordering the downing of two US-operated planes in 1996. She questioned the timing of the charges, which came 30 years after the incident, suggesting they are a pretext to exert pressure on Cuba and influence American public opinion.

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Cuba could be destroyed, but its people would defend it even if it reduces the Cuban population to zero.

The ambassador's strong words reflect the current state of US-Cuba relations, which have deteriorated significantly. Since the beginning of the year, the US has tightened its economic blockade, leading to severe fuel shortages, frequent power outages, and worsening food scarcity on the island. The US has also moved a carrier group into the Caribbean, increasing its military presence in the region.

Cuba views the US actions as provocations, particularly the indictment of Castro, which Havana argues is an attempt to destabilize the government. The US maintains that the 1996 incident violated international law, while Cuba insists it had repeatedly warned the planes were violating its airspace.

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The indictment of Army General Raúl Castro is steeped in profound cynicism and opportunism, considering that these events occurred thirty years ago. Why now?