Cuba’s top diplomat outlines red lines to Trump as it braces for US invasion

Cuba’s top diplomat in the U.S., Lianys Torres Rivera, stated that negotiations with the Trump administration have yielded no progress and that Cuba will not compromise on its independence. She emphasized that recent protests in Havana, triggered by 20-hour blackouts and exhausted fuel supplies due to the U.S. blockade, should not be misinterpreted as a sign of weakening resolve against potential U.S. aggression. Cuba’s government is actively preparing for a possible invasion, with President Miguel Díaz-Canel previously declaring the nation’s readiness to defend itself, even if it means ‘dying.’ Torres Rivera clarified that Cuba’s preparations are purely defensive, aiming to avoid bloodshed and prevent casualties among both Cubans and U.S. soldiers. The U.S. has acknowledged making private offers of $100 million in aid to Cuba, contingent on the regime allowing assistance. CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Cuba, warning that the negotiation window with the Trump administration is limited and that enforcement of ‘red lines’ is imminent. The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to indict former Cuban President Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown of U.S. planes, mirroring a similar legal move against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has framed Cuba’s economic model as ‘broken’ and argued that regime change is necessary to prevent the island from becoming a ‘failed state’ near U.S. shores. Cuba’s energy minister announced the country’s fuel supplies are completely exhausted, exacerbating power shortages and fueling public frustration. Torres Rivera cautioned that while protests reflect legitimate grievances, they do not signal a loss of Cuban resolve to resist foreign intervention.