Cuba's president tells NBC News that he will not step down
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated in his first U.S. network interview that he would not step down unless the Cuban people decide he is unfit for office, emphasizing Cuba’s sovereignty and rejection of U.S. influence over its leadership.
- Díaz-Canel accused the U.S. government of maintaining a hostile policy toward Cuba, criticizing the economic impact of U.S. sanctions and the resulting hardships on both Cuban and American people.
- He expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S. without preconditions, rejecting demands for political system changes while highlighting mutual doubts about the American system.
- Cuba attributes its worsening economic and social conditions to a U.S. energy blockade, which has severely affected critical sectors like healthcare and transportation.
- Despite U.S. threats of tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, a Russian oil shipment recently arrived, marking a rare delivery amid ongoing sanctions, with Russia promising further support.
