In a new escalation of tensions in Latin America, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel led a massive demonstration in the capital, Havana, calling on the people of the continent to "close ranks" and unite in the face of what he described as American aggression, following the operation carried out by the United States that resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the Caribbean island's most prominent strategic ally.
During the demonstration called for by the ruling Communist Party, the socialist leader shouted to the assembled crowds: "People of America, let's stand together!" considering what had happened to be a "kidnapping" of the president of a sovereign state, and not just a judicial procedure, denouncing what he called the blatant American "military aggression" against Venezuela.
Details of the move in the "Anti-Imperialist Platform"
Thousands of Cubans gathered in Havana's iconic Anti-Imperialist Square, waving Cuban and Venezuelan flags and chanting "Down with imperialism!" In his fiery speech, the Cuban president condemned Maduro's "brutal and treacherous attack" and "unacceptable, blatant, and barbaric kidnapping.".
Diaz-Canel added, warning of the geopolitical consequences of this event: "No one with even a modicum of knowledge can ignore or downplay the serious repercussions of such criminal acts on regional and global peace," noting that targeting the head of state in Venezuela represents a dangerous precedent that threatens the stability of the entire region.
Historical relations and shared destiny
Cuban anger cannot be understood in isolation from the historical context of the relationship between Havana and Caracas. Since the beginning of the millennium, and specifically during the era of the late leaders Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez, the two countries formed a unified leftist axis against American influence. Cuba relies heavily on Venezuelan support, particularly in the energy sector and oil supplies, in exchange for medical and intelligence services provided by Havana. This makes the fall of Maduro, or his removal from power, an existential threat to the already struggling Cuban economy.
Washington's warnings and Trump's pressure
On the other hand, the American reactions were swift, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the government in Havana should "be worried" after Maduro's arrest, in a clear indication that Venezuela's allies in the region might be next.
These developments come amid the "maximum pressure" policy pursued by President Donald Trump since his return to the White House a year ago, in which he has further strangled the Cuban economy and reinstated the island on the US list of "state sponsors of terrorism," exacerbating the international isolation of the Cuban regime.
A severe economic crisis
Cuba is currently facing its worst economic crisis in 30 years, reminiscent of the "special period" that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. Under the weight of US sanctions and a weak economic structure, the island is suffering from a severe shortage of hard currency and fuel, leading to frequent and prolonged power outages and a sharp decline in economic activity. Observers believe that Maduro's arrest could deliver a fatal blow to Havana's hopes of securing stable oil support, potentially foreshadowing a difficult winter for the Caribbean.
