In case of any eventuality, Cuba is conducting drills within the ‘War of the Entire People’ strategy.

On Thursday, President Miguel Diaz-Canel reaffirmed Cuba’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the United States on any issue, provided the talks take place without preconditions and pressure and on the basis of mutual respect and the sovereign equality of states.

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“Dialogue under pressure is not dialogue,” he said, rejecting a bilateral relationship marked by asymmetries and an imperialist economic war.

The Cuban leader explained that some U.S. sectors have historically promoted communication channels and agreements to address issues such as security, the fight against drug trafficking and terrorism, environmental protection, cultural exchange and scientific cooperation.

“These or other issues could be part of the agenda of a future bilateral dialogue,” he said, reaffirming his country’s goodwill toward all nations worldwide.

“We do not hate the people of the United States and have always taken advantage of opportunities to increase cooperation with that country,” Diaz-Canel said, making clear that Cuba is not a “Failed State” but a country operating amid hardships caused by an economic blockade in place for 64 years.

He also mentioned that Cuba’s cooperation with Venezuela and other nations of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA-TCP) has a comprehensive character aimed at improving living standards through actions related to production, trade, fuel supply and the provision of medical services.

The text reads, “Do today’s hawks know that our defense strategy, known as the “War of the Entire People,” was born in response to the worst threats from other hawks? The question from President Diaz-Canel is one Trump should ask himself when signing a new order against Cuba.” The sign reads, “I am the revolution.”

Cuba Will Defend Its Sovereignty

On Thursday, Diaz-Canel announced that Cuba has launched a “defense preparedness plan” due to growing U.S. pressure in the region. “It is a sovereign duty, in the face of aggression, to prepare for defense,” he said, denying that Cuba is currently in a state of war.

“We are not saying that we are entering a state of war. We are saying that we are preparing in case we have to enter a state of war at some point. That is the reality, and everything else is media manipulation.”

On Jan. 18, Cuba’s National Defense Council reviewed and approved plans and measures to move toward a “State of War” following the U.S. military attack on Venezuela on Jan. 3, when U.S. forces kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores.

“Since then, Cuba has been conducting military exercises every Saturday. We have declared Saturdays national defense days, and our entire territorial defense system is currently preparing to face an aggression,” Diaz-Canel said, stressing that the defensive preparations involve all levels of government.

“Cuba is a country of peace. Our military doctrine is the ‘War of The Entire People’ and does not contemplate aggression against another country under any circumstances. We are not a threat to the United States,” the Cuban president said, while criticizing the new oil embargo.

“What does it mean to prevent fuel from reaching a country?” Diaz-Canel asked, before noting that the measure directly affects the lives of millions of people. He stressed that surrender is not an option and that Cuba will not renounce its sovereign right to receive fuel.

The “War of the Entire People” strategy was conceived by Commander Fidel Castro in the 1980s and involves mobilizing the Cuban population to confront a possible external aggression. Rather than repelling a potential invasion, this strategy aims to make an occupation unsustainable.

Saturday military exercises include ambush drills and training in mine placement, civilian protection and combined instruction in areas such as military health care, defense against weapons of mass destruction, handling of the AKM rifle and camouflage techniques.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: teleSUR – EFE

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