Amidst an unprecedented economic and humanitarian collapse, Cuba's leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, shared on social media a list of global causes the Cuban regime claims to support. This came after his closing speech at the International Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba and Anti-imperialism "100 Years with Fidel," held at the Convention Palace in Havana.
The gathering brought together 766 delegates from 152 organizations across 36 countries. It served as a platform for Díaz-Canel to deliver his internationalist rhetoric to an audience of sympathizers while the island faces the most severe crisis in its history.
“We will continue to offer solidarity; we will keep supporting the just causes of the world; we will back the Palestinian cause, the Lebanese people's cause, the Bolivarian Revolution, the liberation of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia, the Sahrawi people’s cause, Puerto Rico’s cause, and the Iranian people’s cause,” Díaz-Canel declared emphatically.
He also mentioned Cuba’s support for "those who have led the Gaza flotilla" and expressed the intention to fight for the release of Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, detained by Israel for alleged ties to Hamas.
What Díaz-Canel did not clarify is how a regime lacking resources to feed its population and unwilling to free political prisoners can sustain such a global solidarity agenda.
Aligning with U.S. Adversaries
Many of the causes listed align directly with current adversaries of the United States: Iran—engaged in conflict with the U.S. and Israel since February 2026 following the attack that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—alongside Hezbollah (referred to as the "Lebanese people" by Díaz-Canel) and Hamas (the "Palestinian cause").
Despite this, the supposedly altruistic Díaz-Canel claims confusion as to why Washington considers him a threat.
Previously, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla had formally condemned, before the UN on April 17, the "U.S. and Israel’s aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran," highlighting Havana's alignment with Tehran.
U.S. Response and Sanctions
The Trump administration reinstated Cuba on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism on January 20, 2026, and signed Executive Order 14380, declaring a "national emergency" due to the "unusual and extraordinary threat" posed by Havana.
The White House contends that Cuba hosts the largest Russian intelligence installation outside Russia, collaborates with China, and harbors Hezbollah and Hamas. On May 1, Trump signed new sectoral sanctions against the dictatorship with extraterritorial reach.
Internal Struggles and Discrepancies
The contrast between the regime's rhetoric and the internal reality is stark. Cuba endures power outages lasting 25-30 hours daily with a generation deficit exceeding 1,900 MW, a projected GDP contraction of -7.2% for 2026, and a humanitarian emergency affecting 2 million people in 63 municipalities.
The UN warned this week that $94 million is needed to address this crisis, while 96,000 surgeries are pending, 11,000 of which involve children.
Meanwhile, Prisoners Defenders recorded a historic high of 1,214 political prisoners in Cuba by February 2026’s end. Díaz-Canel denied their existence to NBC News last April, calling it a "great lie" and "slander."
While the regime lacks resources to keep the lights on or the will to open prison cells, it promises solidarity to the world at large.
Understanding Cuba’s Political Landscape
What are the main causes that Díaz-Canel claims Cuba supports?
Díaz-Canel claims Cuba supports the Palestinian cause, the Lebanese people's cause, the Bolivarian Revolution, the liberation of Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia, the Sahrawi people’s cause, Puerto Rico’s cause, and the Iranian people’s cause.
Why does the U.S. consider Cuba a threat?
The U.S. considers Cuba a threat due to its alleged hosting of a large Russian intelligence installation, cooperation with China, and providing refuge to groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
What is the current humanitarian situation in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing severe power outages, a significant economic contraction, and a humanitarian emergency affecting millions, with thousands of surgeries pending, including those for children.