Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel accused the United States of perpetrating “genocide” against Cuba during a rally marking the 73rd anniversary of the Cuban Revolution on Sunday. Speaking in Pinar del Rio, Diaz-Canel condemned the longstanding U.S. policies aimed at the island nation, framing them as deliberate attempts to undermine Cuba's sovereignty and inflict widespread suffering on its population.

Diaz-Canel characterized the U.S. embargo, which has severely restricted Cuba’s access to oil and other essential goods, as part of a “cold-bloodedly calculated” campaign designed to “suffocate an entire people.” The prolonged economic blockade has contributed to recurring blackouts and heightened economic difficulties across the country. The Cuban leader described the current situation as a “historic battle” against what he called a genocidal policy intended to facilitate the seizure of Cuban territory.

U.S.-Cuba relations have been strained for decades, with the embargo dating back to the early 1960s following the Cuban Revolution. While the Obama administration took some steps toward normalization, the Trump administration reversed much of that progress, intensifying sanctions and diplomatic pressure. The Biden administration has maintained many of these restrictions, contributing to ongoing tensions between the two nations.

The United States has justified its embargo and sanctions on Cuba as measures to pressure the government to improve human rights and democratic governance. It has denied allegations of genocide or intent to seize the island, characterizing its policies as targeted economic sanctions in response to the Cuban government’s political and human rights record.

The accusations by Diaz-Canel come amid continued economic hardships faced by Cuba, including shortages of basic goods and energy, which the government attributes largely to American economic pressure. The rhetoric reflects heightened rhetoric from Havana amid an ongoing struggle over Cuba’s political future and economic resilience under challenging conditions.