In a comprehensive interview with journalist Mônica Bergamo for the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo, Miguel Díaz-Canel declared on Sunday that he harbors no fear of being captured or attacked by the United States. This statement was in direct reference to the U.S. forces' capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd.
"If they come for me, so be it, but it won't be with weakness or cowardice—I'll be fighting," the Cuban leader asserted, continuing his pattern of defiance against Washington.
A Long-Held Conviction
Díaz-Canel emphasized that this stance is not new but a long-standing decision that has grown through his involvement in the revolution. "For a long time now, it's been a belief that deepens as one participates in the revolution and learns its history. If you're willing to give your life for the cause, what is there to fear?" he stated.
This outlook, he mentioned, extends to his closest circle: "With this attitude towards life, my wife shares it, and we have nothing to fear. The decision is made."
The Context of His Words
The backdrop for these statements is the operation where 32 Cuban soldiers, part of Maduro's security detail in Venezuela, lost their lives—a fact the Cuban regime acknowledged on January 4, 2026, leading to two days of national mourning.
Since that incident, Díaz-Canel has reiterated similar messages in various international forums. In April, he told NBC, "I'm not afraid. I'm ready to lay down my life for the revolution." By June, speaking to elDiario.es, he was more succinct: "We're not afraid of war." The following day, he warned of a "determined and firm fight" if there were any attempt to invade the country.
Critics and analysts see these repeated statements as defensive, fearing that Maduro's fall might trigger a similar outcome for the Cuban regime, rather than as a genuine display of strength.
Cuban Solidarity and the Mais Médicos Program
During the same interview, Díaz-Canel highlighted Cuban solidarity with Brazil through the medical program, recalling that over 11,000 Cuban doctors served in Brazilian communities that had never received medical attention. "When a reactionary right-wing government removed Cuban doctors from Brazil, who were more than eleven thousand, and went to the most remote locations, the Brazilian people felt that loss," he remarked, alluding to Jair Bolsonaro's administration.
What Díaz-Canel didn't mention was that his own government ended the Mais Médicos agreement in November 2018, pulling Cuban doctors out of Brazil following statements by then-president-elect Bolsonaro questioning the program's conditions.
Concluding this segment, the Cuban leader spoke of his personal commitment: "For the time we have left, we will dedicate ourselves entirely to this people, to this revolution, striving for the prosperity we desire for our nation," even as Cuba faces power outages lasting up to 40 hours and seven months without regular fuel supplies.
Understanding Díaz-Canel's Defiance and Cuba's Challenges
Why does Díaz-Canel say he has no fear of the United States?
Díaz-Canel claims to have no fear of the United States because he is prepared to fight and has committed to the revolutionary cause, which he believes justifies the potential sacrifice of his life.
What was the operation involving Cuban soldiers in Venezuela?
The operation involved 32 Cuban soldiers who were part of Nicolás Maduro's security detail in Venezuela and who lost their lives, prompting a national mourning period in Cuba.
How did the Mais Médicos program affect Cuban-Brazilian relations?
The Mais Médicos program strengthened Cuban-Brazilian relations by providing medical care to underserved communities. However, relations were strained when Cuba withdrew from the program following Jair Bolsonaro's criticisms.