Story perspectives

Cuba Warns of Military Readiness Amid U.S. Threats

3/23/2026

Summary

Cuba's Military Readiness

Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío warned of military readiness in response to threats by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In an NBC interview, he said Cuba hopes for peace but cannot ignore conflict.
He rejected any notion of altering Cuba's political system, saying regime change is non-negotiable.
The backdrop is an economic crisis worsened by U.S. oil sanctions, causing energy shortages.

Summary

Cuba Faces Blackouts

On March 21, Cuba's power grid collapsed again, the second time in a week, leaving millions without electricity.
The outages stem from aging infrastructure and a U.S. oil blockade that halts Venezuelan supplies.
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío says the military is preparing for possible U.S. aggression.
Protests have erupted as citizens face blackouts and shortages.

History

Historical Context

The Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 marked a critical juncture in U.S.-Cuba relations, triggered by the Soviet Union's deployment of nuclear missiles in Cuba. This confrontation led to a U.S. naval blockade and heightened military tensions, resulting in a lasting economic embargo that severely impacted Cuba's economy. Today, Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío's remarks reflect ongoing Cold War anxieties and military readiness against perceived U.S. threats.

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Cuba's Military Readiness

Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío warned of military readiness in response to threats by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In an NBC interview, he said Cuba hopes for peace but cannot ignore conflict.
He rejected any notion of altering Cuba's political system, saying regime change is non-negotiable.
The backdrop is an economic crisis worsened by U.S. oil sanctions, causing energy shortages.

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