Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Reiterates Military Is Preparing for Possibility of U.S. Military Aggression After Trump 'Taking Cuba' Remarks
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío told NBC’s Meet the Press that Havana is “preparing” for the possibility of U.S. military aggression after President Trump, in interviews including with Fox’s Peter Doocy, said it would be “a big honor” to be the president who could “take Cuba” and that he could “do anything I want with it.” Fernández de Cossío framed Cuba’s posture as defensive — rejecting regime change or becoming a “vassal state,” blaming U.S. pressure for the island’s economic and energy crises while saying Havana remains willing to negotiate with any U.S. representative — and President Miguel Díaz‑Canel warned any external aggressor would meet “impregnable resistance.”
📌 Key Facts
- Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío said Cuba is "preparing for the possibility of military aggression" in an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press that aired Sunday, saying the island has "historically" been ready to mobilize but declining to give operational details.
- Former President Donald Trump told Fox’s Peter Doocy he would have the "honor" of "taking Cuba … in some form," said he could "do whatever I want with it," and framed Cuba as a "failed nation," remarks that prompted the Cuban response.
- Cuban officials portray their posture as defensive, blame Cuba’s energy and economic crisis on U.S. pressure, and say they see no justification for U.S. military action.
- Fernández de Cossío reiterated that Cuba is "absolutely" opposed to regime change and would not accept becoming a "vassal state," while saying Havana is prepared to negotiate with whatever U.S. representative is designated.
- U.S. politician Marco Rubio publicly offered a contrasting line stressing diplomacy and "new people in charge," rejecting implications of an imminent U.S. invasion.
- Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel posted on X that any "external aggressor will clash with an impregnable resistance," reinforcing the defensive threat posture described by Cuban officials.
📊 Relevant Data
The Cuban-origin population in the United States increased by 92% from 2000 to 2021, growing from 1.2 million to 2.4 million, reflecting significant diaspora expansion driven by economic and political factors.
Facts on Hispanics of Cuban origin in the United States, 2021 — Pew Research Center
In 2025, the United States received 217,615 Cubans through various immigration channels, contributing to an ongoing exodus where one in four Cubans have left the island in the past four years.
Cuban emigration in 2025: global redistribution of the exodus and its consequences — CiberCuba
Cuban Americans self-identify as 85% White, based on the 2010 U.S. Census, while Cuba's population is approximately 64% White, 27% Mulatto/Mestizo, and 9% Black, indicating a disparity in racial composition between the diaspora and the island population.
Cuban Americans — Wikipedia
U.S. sanctions have contributed to Cuba's economic crisis, with estimates indicating that without the blockade, Cuba's GDP would have grown by more than 9% in 2024, disproportionately affecting lower-income and rural populations.
Speakers in General Assembly Highlight Impact of United States Blockade on Cuba — United Nations
The Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 has facilitated higher rates of legal permanent residency for Cubans, with Cuba ranking among the top source countries, leading to over 1.3 million Cuban immigrants in the U.S. by 2021.
Cuban Immigrants in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"The WSJ opinion argues that Cuba’s dire economic and social collapse is the result of regime mismanagement and is being masked by anti‑U.S. rhetoric and posturing — a cynical 'con' to deflect blame and extract sympathy."
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Fox article reproduces more of Fernández de Cossío’s specific language about Cuba 'historically' being ready to mobilize but declining to give operational details.
- It adds direct quotation of Trump telling Fox’s Peter Doocy that he would have the 'honor' of 'taking Cuba … in some form' and 'I think I could do whatever I want with it, to tell you the truth,' tightening attribution of those remarks to a Fox interview.
- The story includes a brief response from Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel on X warning that any 'external aggressor will clash with an impregnable resistance,' which reinforces, but does not materially change, the threat posture already described.
- Article specifies that Fernández de Cossío’s comments came in an interview on NBC’s 'Meet the Press' that aired Sunday.
- It quotes Trump saying it would be 'a big honor' to be the president who has the 'honor of taking Cuba' and that he could 'do anything I want with it,' framing Cuba as a 'failed nation.'
- It details Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s contrasting public line emphasizing diplomacy and 'new people in charge' while opposing the implication of imminent invasion.
- Fernández de Cossío reiterates that Cuba is 'absolutely' opposed to regime change and would not accept becoming a 'vassal state,' while saying Havana is prepared to negotiate with whatever U.S. representative is designated.
- The piece underscores that Cuban officials frame their stance as defensive and blame Cuba’s energy and economic crisis on U.S. pressure, while saying they see no justification for U.S. military action.