By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

On the 65th anniversary of the start of the U.S.-backed Bay of Pigs invasion, Cuban President, Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed a crowd in Havana, wearing military fatigues. He used the occasion to send a strong message to Washington, stating that while Cuba does not seek war, it is fully prepared to defeat American forces if attacked.

The president’s speech comes at a time of extreme tension between the two nations, following months of mounting pressure from the United States.

Díaz-Canel noted that the current geopolitical moment is “very grave,” citing repeated warnings from the Trump administration that Cuba could be the next target for military or political intervention.

A central theme of the address was the ongoing U.S. oil blockade, which has severely aggravated Cuba’s worst economic and energy crisis in decades. The president rejected American descriptions of Cuba as a “failed state,” arguing instead that the island is a “besieged state” struggling under a decades-long trade embargo.

Díaz-Canel also reiterated Cuba’s commitment to socialism, a system famously proclaimed by Fidel Castro exactly 65 years ago during the original 1961 invasion. He emphasized that the victory at the Bay of Pigs remains a symbol of national sovereignty and a “David vs. Goliath” moment for the revolution.

In addition to the rhetoric, the president confirmed that high-level talks have taken place between Washington and Havana to de-escalate the situation. However, he noted that these discussions have yielded little progress, as the U.S. continues to pursue a policy of maximum pressure against the communist island.

Mariela Castro, daughter of the late Raul Castro, also spoke, indicating that while Cubans desire dialogue with the U.S., their political system is not up for negotiation. She revealed that her 94-year-old father remains indirectly involved in these diplomatic efforts through family representatives and military negotiators.

The anniversary serves as a reminder of the 1961 debacle where a CIA-trained force of exiles failed to oust the Cuban government. Six decades later, the same spirit of defiance was echoed by rally attendees, who vowed to defend their nation’s independence regardless of the price.