Tensions are rising between the United States and Cuba after strong words from both sides sparked concern about what could happen next. After Donald Trump hinted that he could do “anything he wants” with Cuba, the island’s president has now issued a chilling response.

Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has promised the country will not back down if the U.S. tries to interfere, after President Donald Trump suggested he could potentially “take” the island nation.

The communist-led country has already been under heavy pressure from the United States for months, while also struggling with serious energy shortages that have left many citizens facing daily blackouts.

In a message shared on X late Tuesday, Díaz-Canel stated that Cuba would fight back against any attempt to remove its government or seize control of the country.

“In the face of the worst scenario, Cuba is accompanied by a certainty: any external aggressor will clash with an impregnable resistance,” he wrote.

The president further accused the United States of trying to overthrow Cuba’s leadership in order to gain control of the nation’s resources. The warning came just hours after Trump hinted during an event at the White House that action involving Cuba could be coming soon.

Cuban president issues warning to Trump
Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Trump turned heads as he said the U.S. might make a move involving the island.

“We’ll be doing something with Cuba very soon,” the U.S president said.

Just a day before the shocking statement, Donald Trump went even further, talking about the possibility of the U.S. taking control of the country in some way.

“Whether I free it, take it, I think I could do anything I want with it,” Trump told reporters.

While he previously mentioned the idea of a “friendly takeover of Cuba,” he suggested the situation could change depending on how talks develop.

“Either make a deal or do whatever we have to do”
Moreover, on Sunday, Trump claimed that discussions between the U.S. and Cuban governments are ongoing, saying, “I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do.”

However, he added that his main focus right now is the conflict involving Iran, and that the situation with Cuba could be addressed later. For now, the exchange of warnings has raised concerns that relations between the two countries could become even more tense in the coming weeks.