Cuba has signalled heightened military preparedness amid rising tensions with the United States, even as it insists it does not seek confrontation.

In a recent interview, Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio indicated that the island is actively preparing for a potential military scenario.

“Our military is always prepared. And in fact it is preparing these days for the possibility of military aggression,” he said, adding, however, “we truly hope that it doesn't occur.”

He emphasised that Havana does not view Washington as an adversary in principle:

“Cuba has no quarrel with the United States. We do have the need and the right to protect ourself. But we are willing to sit down.”

Why are tensions rising now?

The remarks come at a time when Cuba is grappling with a deepening energy crisis. A series of nationwide blackouts, including a second in less than a week, has exposed the fragility of its ageing power infrastructure.

Cuban authorities have linked the worsening situation to restricted fuel supplies, which they attribute in part to US pressure and sanctions affecting oil imports.

“We are acting as proactively as we can to cope with the situation,” Fernandez de Cossio said.

“We do hope that fuel will reach Cuba one way or the other and that this boycott that the United States has been imposing does not last and cannot be sustained forever.”

The crisis has intensified since the reported capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro earlier this year, a development that disrupted a key oil supply line to Cuba.

What is the US position?

US President Donald Trump has taken a tougher stance, including threats of tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba. The measures have further strained the island’s already fragile economy and energy sector.

With no oil imports reported since early January, Cuba’s power grid has come under severe pressure, leading to repeated nationwide outages and disruptions to daily life, including food storage and transport.

A long history of strained relations

Relations between Cuba and the United States have been marked by decades of mistrust and confrontation. Diplomatic ties were severed in 1961 during the Cold War and only restored in 2015 under a brief thaw.

The US has maintained a long-standing trade embargo on Cuba since 1960, restricting economic and financial engagement. While there was a short period of improved relations, tensions have since deteriorated again over political, economic, and security differences.

While Cuba’s leadership has made it clear that it is preparing for the worst-case scenario, it is simultaneously signalling openness to dialogue.