In a display of audacity, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel stated in an exclusive interview with NBC News that he would step down only if the Cuban people deemed him unfit for his role. This statement seems difficult to defend, given the ongoing protests by civil society across the entire island.
The interview, conducted by Kristen Welker, host of Meet the Press, marked the first appearance of a Cuban leader on American television in decades.
When asked directly if he would consider resigning to save Cuba—citing demands from the Trump administration—Díaz-Canel reacted with frustration and questioned whether the journalist would pose the same question to President Donald Trump.
"The notion of revolutionaries abandoning or resigning is not part of our vocabulary," the Cuban leader asserted, before adding a condition that seems ironic considering the island's reality: "If the Cuban people believe I am not fit for the position, that I haven't risen to the challenge, then I shouldn't hold the presidency. I will answer to them."
The irony of his statement is striking. As Díaz-Canel uttered these words, Cuba had been experiencing weeks of massive street protests, the largest since the historic events of July 11, 2021.
Protests Erupt Across the Island
Since March 6, at least 156 demonstrations have taken place in various provinces, featuring pot-banging, road blockades, trash burning, and attacks on Communist Party offices.
On the same day as the interview, April 9, protests were reported in Guantánamo, involving the deployment of black berets, undercover police, and patrol units.
On March 14, protesters in Morón, Ciego de Ávila, attacked the provincial Communist Party headquarters, setting furniture on fire and causing damage to a pharmacy and a state-run store.
Calls for Leadership Change
Amidst this turmoil, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was clear: "They need new leadership because the current leaders don't know how to solve it."
Díaz-Canel dismissed any interference and accused Washington of lacking moral authority.
"The U.S. government, which has pursued a hostile policy against Cuba, has no moral authority to demand anything," he stated, calling for dialogue without preconditions.
While the regime attempts an international media offensive, Cuban civil society launched the Que se vayan campaign in February, supported by figures like Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and José Daniel Ferrer of the Patriotic Union of Cuba. The campaign demands a democratic transition with free elections and the release of more than 1,200 documented political prisoners on the island.
By 2025, the Cuban Conflict Observatory had recorded 11,268 protests, complaints, and criticisms against the regime, highlighting how long the Cuban people have been sending the very message that Díaz-Canel claims to be willing to hear.
Understanding Cuba's Political Climate
What did Díaz-Canel say about resigning?
Díaz-Canel stated he would only resign if the Cuban people considered him unfit for his role as leader.
How has the Cuban public responded to Díaz-Canel's leadership?
The Cuban public has shown significant unrest, with ongoing protests across the island calling for change and a new leadership.
What is the Que se vayan campaign?
The Que se vayan campaign is an initiative calling for a democratic transition in Cuba, with demands for free elections and the release of political prisoners.