Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has strongly criticised the United States, accusing President Donald Trump’s administration of carrying out “political genocide” through its continued oil embargo and tougher economic sanctions against the island.
Speaking during celebrations marking the 73rd anniversary of Fidel Castro’s first military offensive against the US-backed Batista government, Diaz-Canel also rejected a recent US State Department report accusing Cuba of infiltrating the US government and supporting an “unprecedented wave of left-wing terrorism” on American soil.
According to Diaz-Canel, the allegations are an attempt by Washington to shift attention away from its own domestic issues by blaming Cuba for growing unrest in the United States.
“They are looking for a scapegoat and someone to blame for protests caused by an economy that makes the rich richer and the poor poorer,” he said. He added that the accusations were being used to justify what he described as Washington’s “political genocide” against Cuba.
The latest remarks come as relations between Havana and Washington continue to deteriorate. Cuba has been grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, with expanded US sanctions and an oil embargo contributing to severe fuel shortages, nationwide power outages and repeated collapses of the country’s electricity grid.
The economic downturn has also forced several international companies, particularly in the tourism and financial sectors, to leave Cuba. Public transportation has been disrupted, while schools have shortened the academic year due to fuel shortages.
The United States has blamed Cuba’s economic hardship on years of poor governance, inadequate investment and ageing infrastructure, rather than sanctions alone.
In his speech, Diaz-Canel called for an end to the US sanctions and oil blockade, while thanking international organisations that have continued to provide humanitarian aid to Cuba.
“Cuba is not a threat to the United States or to any other country,” he said, urging Washington to allow the Cuban people to “live in peace.”
