Cuba is preparing for the possibility of US military aggression, a senior diplomat has warned, as tensions escalate following Donald Trump’s remarks about “taking” the island.
Havana and Washington entered talks earlier this month as a US oil blockade has triggered widespread power outages and deepened the country’s economic crisis.
Mr Trump has fuelled tensions, telling reporters he believed he would have the "honour of taking Cuba".
When pressed on what he meant, he added: "Whether I free it, take it - I think I can do anything I want with it."
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Cuba’s deputy foreign minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío said the country was ready to mobilise in the face of any potential conflict.
He warned it would be "naive" to ignore the possibility of military action.
He said: "Our country has historically been ready to mobilise as a nation as a whole for military aggression."
Mr de Cossío added: "We don't believe it is something that is probable, but we would be naive if we do not prepare."
The White House has escalated tensions with Cuba, with Marco Rubio saying the island needs 'new people in charge' and Donald Trump saying he would the 'honour of taking Cuba'
|GETTY
Reports have also suggested the White House is exploring options to remove Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel from power.
Mr de Cossío said Cuba would not make concessions over its government, political structure or system.
Meanwhile, the head of US Southern Command, General Francis Donovan, sought to downplay fears of an invasion.
He told lawmakers the US military was not carrying out rehearsals involving seizing or occupying Cuba.
LATEST ON CUBA:
White House oil blockades have caused ongoing blackouts in the country
|GETTY
Cuba produces around 40 per cent of the fuel it needs, leaving it heavily reliant on imports - particularly from Venezuela.
The island has suffered repeated blackouts, with power restored to nearly 500,000 homes, businesses and 43 hospitals in Havana on Sunday after the grid failed for the second time in a week.
Residents say outages have become routine, with some forced to cook using firewood several times a week.
The crisis has also drawn international attention, with figures including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn travelling to Cuba on an "aid mission".
Cuba has maintained it would not remove President Miguel Diaz-Canel if the White House demanded it
|GETTY
Participating groups include the People's Forum and Code Pink, both of which the US State Department has identified as vectors of Chinese influence.
The People's Forum is linked to Neville Roy Singham, while Code Pink was founded by his wife, Jodie Evans.
Among those on the trip is online streamer Hasan Piker, who has 1.6 million Instagram followers and broadcast from the island on Saturday, promising to create future "content".
Mr Piker, an ally of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has previously visited Havana on what has been described as a Beijing-sponsored propaganda trip.
The group is staying in a five-star hotel during the visit, with Mr Piker saying it was "illegal for Americans to stay where we want in Cuba".
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter