Cuba’s Díaz-Canel Defends Nationwide Military Drills as Deterrent After Trump Warns Havana to ‘Make a Deal’ or Face Venezuela-Style Fate

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel on Saturday defended extensive military preparedness exercises underway across the island, describing them as essential deterrence against what Havana sees as escalating threats from the United States. The comments come amid soaring tensions following a dramatic U.S. military operation in neighboring Venezuela and forceful remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump toward Cuba.

Díaz-Canel personally oversaw armor and defense drills that included a tank unit of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, flanked by senior commanders including Minister of the Armed Forces General Álvaro López Miera. In remarks broadcast on state television, the Cuban leader said the exercises were meant to make any potential aggression “too costly for imperialism to contemplate.”

“These preparations take on significant importance in the current circumstances,” Díaz-Canel said, framing them as part of the island’s doctrine of a “War of the Entire People” — a Cold War-era strategy to mobilize civilians if confronted by a foreign military threat.

The National Defense Council, which Díaz-Canel chairs, recently met to “analyze and approve the plans and measures for transitioning to a State of War,” according to official statements, though independent analysts caution that this language is largely symbolic and aimed at political messaging rather than indicating an actual legal state of war has been declared.

Tensions intensified after U.S. forces carried out a raid in Caracas on Jan. 3 that resulted in the capture of Venezuela’s former President Nicolás Maduro and the deaths of dozens of Cuban military personnel. Trump has since warned Cuba it “is ready to fall” and urged Havana to “make a deal before it’s too late,” signaling possible further economic and diplomatic pressure, including an oil cutoff reminiscent of U.S. actions against Venezuela.

The island’s leadership in Havana has dismissed these warnings, asserting Cuba’s sovereignty and readiness to defend its revolution. While emphasizing defense, Díaz-Canel reiterated willingness to engage in dialogue only on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect — excluding coercive diplomacy.