Chicago – May 18, 2026
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned that any U.S. military strike on Cuba would trigger a “bloodbath with incalculable consequences,” as tensions between Havana and Washington continue to rise. He said Cuba poses no threat to the United States and insists it has the right to defend itself against any military assault.
Díaz-Canel made the remarks in a post on X, responding to renewed U.S. pressure and President Donald Trump’s repeated threats that Cuba could be the next target after Iran. Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez echoed the warning, saying the U.S. was on a “dangerous path” that could lead to a bloodbath in Cuba and large-scale loss of life.
The warning comes as relations between the two countries remain at one of their lowest points in decades, with the Trump administration intensifying pressure through sanctions and sharp rhetoric. The Associated Press reported that U.S. officials were not considering imminent military action, though they did not rule out future changes in policy.
Cuban authorities have also begun preparing civilians for the possibility of conflict, including distributing civil defense guidance for hypothetical military aggression. That has deepened anxiety on the island, where economic hardship and energy shortages are already straining daily life.
