Cuban ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel lashed out at the United States after U.S. Armed Forces seized an oil tanker, an incident that Havana described as an act of “piracy” and a serious violation of international law.
In official statements, Díaz-Canel denounced what he called the assault and confiscation of the vessel, claiming the incident reveals, in his view, the “true intentions” behind Washington’s military deployment in the region. The Cuban leader argued that the action amounts to the theft of resources belonging to the Venezuelan people and harms not only Venezuela but the international community as a whole.
The head of Cuba’s regime “strongly” condemned the operation, asserting that it violates fundamental principles such as freedom of navigation and free trade, key pillars of international maritime law. In his remarks, Díaz-Canel escalated his rhetoric by stating that the world is facing “new corsairs and pirates of the Caribbean,” a clear reference to the United States.
The statements come amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Western Hemisphere, marked by sanctions, maritime security operations, and diplomatic disputes related to oil trade and compliance with international regulations.
So far, Washington has not directly responded to the accusations made by the Cuban regime. However, the United States has repeatedly defended its actions as part of efforts to enforce international sanctions and ensure maritime security.
Díaz-Canel’s remarks reinforce Havana’s longstanding narrative against the United States and add to a series of statements aimed at portraying the Cuban regime as a victim of external aggression, at a time when the island is facing a deep economic and social crisis.
