On Thursday, Miguel Díaz-Canel seized the opportunity provided by the closing of the VII Ordinary Period of Sessions of the X Legislature of the National Assembly of People's Power to launch a vehement attack against Washington. He labeled the U.S. government as a "neo-fascist regime" and accused it of employing deception as a tool for domination.
Describing the period since the parliamentary session in December 2025 as "an extremely complex and threatening scenario akin to a besieged fortress," Díaz-Canel outlined what he referred to as the alleged neo-fascist traits of Washington: xenophobia, nationalist exceptionalism, personality cults, suppression of opposing ideologies, and territorial conquest.
In front of the assembly members, he declared, "The neo-fascist regime currently established in the United States is revisiting attempts at some of the horrors unleashed by German fascism in the first half of the 20th century in its quest for expansion."
The Escalating Rhetoric of July 2026
The speech on July 30 was the latest in a series of inflammatory statements Díaz-Canel has made throughout July 2026 against the Trump administration. On July 7, while thanking 136 nations at the UN for supporting a debate on the embargo, he condemned the "brazen lies of the U.S. delegate" for trying to sabotage the session.
On July 21, responding to a U.S. government report that labeled Cuba a national security threat, Díaz-Canel accused Washington of using "lies to create pretexts for aggression against Cuba," describing this narrative as "extremely slanderous, extremely deceitful."
Just days later, on July 26, during a ceremony marking the 73rd anniversary of the Moncada assault, he characterized U.S. policy as "coldly calculated genocide" and "political genocide."
Global Context and Warnings
In his recent address, Díaz-Canel also referenced the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, as an event that is, in his words, "completely erasing the concept of a law-based world."
He also dedicated a portion of his speech to Gaza, citing UN estimates of 75,000 to 90,000 deaths in the region, with 60% being women and children, and more than 10,000 missing under rubble. "It is urgent to become aware of the gravity of these events. Any of our nations could become another Gaza," he warned.
Tribute to a Revolutionary Figure
The address began with a tribute to Revolutionary Commander Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, who passed away on June 21, 2026, at the age of 94. He had been a member of every legislature since the founding of the Cuban Parliament in 1976. Díaz-Canel presented him as a model of the "centennial generation," alongside Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro, and Che Guevara, quoting Valdés's own warning: "You can't trust imperialism, not even a little bit."
The parliamentary session that concluded on Thursday also approved a declaration on Wednesday, warning that any U.S. military action against Cuba would encounter "fierce and unwavering resistance." This comes in a context where Executive Order 14380, signed on January 29, 2026, imposed secondary tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island, exacerbating Cuba's already critical energy situation.
Understanding Cuba-U.S. Relations in 2026
What are the key accusations made by Díaz-Canel against the U.S.?
Díaz-Canel accused the U.S. of being a "neo-fascist regime" that uses lies as a tool for domination, citing traits like xenophobia, nationalist exceptionalism, and territorial conquest.
How has Díaz-Canel's rhetoric evolved throughout July 2026?
Throughout July 2026, Díaz-Canel has escalated his rhetoric against the U.S., condemning what he describes as brazen lies and genocide, and asserting Cuba's resistance to American aggression.
What other international issues did Díaz-Canel address in his speech?
Díaz-Canel mentioned the capture of Nicolás Maduro and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, warning of the potential for similar situations to arise in other nations.