China’s RARE Cuba Action; Xi SMASHES Trump’s Siege As Chinese Ships BREACH Military Blockade

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]A rare intervention by China in the United States backyard as Trump squeezes Cuba with crippling blockade. Xihinping has stepped in for the rescue.

[00:00:15]With Cuba staring at a deepening humanitarian crisis, Beijing has made a direct intervention to help the people of the besieged country.

[00:00:27]In a major announcement, Cuba confirmed the arrival of the first shipment from an expected Chinese donation of nearly 60,000 tons of rice. The first batch, 15,000 tons, reached Havana Port on Saturday. Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel thanked China for its support and also praised members of the European Parliament who criticized what he called the growing pressure campaign against Cuba.

[00:00:56]Diaz Canel accused the United States of subjecting Cuba to collective punishment, even likening the situation to genocide.

[00:01:04]The development comes as US President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on the communist island during his second term in office.

[00:01:11]>> Uh then the White House won't be a very secure place.

[00:01:14]>> But uh then regarding Cuba, there was an aircraft carrier that just arrived there um just uh this week, a limited aircraft carrier. Are you sending that there to intimidate the Cuban government? No, not at all. The Cuba, look, it's a failed country. Everybody knows it. They don't have electricity. They don't have money.

[00:01:32]They don't have really anything. They don't have food. And we're going to help them along. And we're going to help them because the people because number one, I want to help them. I don't want to on a humanitarian basis, but we have the Cuban-American population, much of it living in Miami and Florida. That's a great group of people, amazing group of people, industrious, just they're great Americans. They've wanted this to happen. They want to go back to their country. They want to help their country. I hope they're going to stay here, but they want to go back. They want to invest in their country and, you know, see if they can bring it back. Uh, other presidents have looked at this for 50, 60 years doing something. And, uh, it looks like I'll be the one that does it. So, we'd be happy to do it. We want to open it up to Cuban Americans where they can go back and help. Since January, Washington has tightened sanctions on Cuba, even as Trump seeks to counter China's growing influence in Latin America, and Cuba is increasingly turning to Beijing for survival.

[00:02:32]China has already supplied solar panels to help modernize Cuba's aging power grid and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The energy crisis on the island has worsened dramatically this year.

[00:02:44]Cuba imports nearly 60% of its oil needs, but since the beginning of the year, the Trump administration has effectively blocked oil exports to the island.

[00:02:57]The de facto oil blockade began shortly after January 3rd when the US launched a military operation to abduct and imprison Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro. Trump later announced that no more oil or funds would move from Venezuela to Cuba.

[00:03:16]By the end of January, Trump signed an executive order calling Cuba an unusual and extraordinary threat to the United States while warning countries against supplying oil to Havana.

[00:03:28]Since then, only one Russian tanker has reportedly been allowed to reach Cuba.

[00:03:36]Earlier this month, energy minister Vicente de la Olivi admitted the island had exhausted its oil supplies. The result, massive nationwide blackouts, collapsing public transport, and severe disruptions to medical services across several regions. But despite the humanitarian crisis, Trump has continued his sanctions campaign in what critics describe as an attempt to force regime change in Cuba.

[00:04:06]Reports suggest Trump wants Diaz Canel to resign and may be open to a Venezuela style scenario where the government structure survives but the leadership changes.

[00:04:19]Tensions have escalated further after the Trump administration unveiled a murder indictment against former Cuban President Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two planes operated by Cuban exiles. Cuba has remained under a sweeping US trade embargo since the 1960s, an embargo Havana says has crippled its economy. Washington, however, blames the Cuban government for economic mismanagement and suppressing political disscent. Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that Washington offered Cuba $100 million in humanitarian aid, but only if Havana agreed to implement what he called meaningful reforms. But Diaz Canel has refused to back down. In a fiery statement on Sunday, the Cuban president accused the US of using a maximum pressure strategy to manufacture the narrative of an impending collapse in Cuba and justify military intervention. And amid the standoff with Washington, Diaz Canel made one thing clear. Cuba will deepen its ties with China. The cherished bonds of friendship and cooperation that unite us grow stronger in these crucial times, he declared.

[00:05:32]I'm not going to comment on military matters or national security threats directly linked to the United States in specificity. Here's what I can tell you.

[00:05:38]Cuba not only has weapons that they've acquired from Russia and China over the years, u but they also uh host Russia and Chinese intelligence presence in their country, not far from where we're standing right now. So Cuba has always posed a national security threat to the United States. They, by the way, have been one of the leading sponsors of terrorism in the entire region. Cuba is a national security threat to the United States. That explosive declaration from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has triggered a fierce new diplomatic confrontation between Washington and Havana, pushing already fragile relations into dangerous territory. The response from Cuba was swift, furious, and deeply accusatory as tensions between the two longtime adversaries escalated dramatically once again.

[00:06:30]Speaking to reporters, Rubio sharply intensified America's rhetoric against the Cuban government. The US Secretary of State openly declared that Cuba represents a direct national security threat to the United States, a statement likely to send shock waves across Latin America and beyond. Rubio also delivered a bleak assessment of future diplomacy, warning that the chances of reaching a peaceful agreement with Cuba's current leadership are not high.

[00:07:02]While insisting that diplomacy remains Washington's preferred option, Rubio casts serious doubt on whether meaningful negotiations with Cuba's current leadership are even possible.

[00:07:14]His remarks signal a hardening US stance at a time when relations between the two countries are already strained by sanctions, political hostility, and decades of deep mistrust. Now with both sides trading accusations and tensions rapidly rising, fears are growing that a new chapter of confrontation between Washington and Havana may already be unfolding.

[00:07:41]I'm not going to comment on military matters or national security threats directly linked to the United States in specificity. Here's what I can tell you.

[00:07:48]Cuba not only has weapons that they've acquired from Russia and China over the years uh but they also uh host Russia and Chinese intelligence presence in their country not far from where we're standing right now. So Cuba has always posed a national security threat to the United States. They by the way have been one of the leading sponsors of terrorism in the entire region. Our preference in Cuba and anywhere in the world is a negotiated diplomatic settlement. Okay?

[00:08:11]And that's what I would say to you. The president always has the option to do whatever it takes to support and protect the national interest and national security of the United States. He has the option to do that if there's a threat to the national security of the United States and he has shown his willingness to do that when he identifies such a threat. That said, our preference is always a diplomatic solution always. Um and andor, you know, a negotiated agreement. That's always our preference. But to answer your question, if there's a threat to the national security of the United States, the president not just has the right, he has the obligation to address that national security threat. Well, that was the a grand jury in South Florida returned an indictment on Raul Castro. Has nothing to do with us. It's a grand jury. The evidence is clear. He admits to it. Raul Castro openly admits and brags about he shot down uh uh civilian gave the order to suit down civilian airplanes. And >> how are you getting here? Well, I'm not going to talk about how we're going to get him here. Um, if we were trying to get him here, why would I say to the media what our plans are about that? I know you have to ask, but why would I answer that? The bottom line, there's a lot. He's at that point, he becomes a fugitive of American justice. And well, you know, if there's an announcement of We'll tell you, we'll tell you afterwards, not before. The comments landed just one day after the United States charged former Cuban leader Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two aircraft that killed US nationals. US pressure on Havana has intensified under President Donald Trump's administration, which has openly discussed dramatic change in Cuba's political direction.

[00:09:44]>> Regarding Cuba, there was an aircraft carrier that just arrived there um just uh this week. limited aircraft carrier.

[00:09:51]Are you sending that there to intimidate the Cuban government?

[00:09:53]>> No, not at all. The Cuba, look, it's a failed country. Everybody knows it. They don't have electricity. They don't have money. They don't have really anything.

[00:10:01]They don't have food. And we're going to help them along. And we're going to help them because the people because number one, I want to help them. You don't want to on a humanitarian basis, but we have the Cuban-American population, much of it living in Miami and Florida. That's a great group of people. Amazing group of people, industrious, just they're great Americans. They've wanted this to happen. They want to go back to their country. They want to help their country. I hope they're going to stay here, but they want to go back. They want to invest in their country and, you know, see if they can bring it back. Uh other presidents have looked at this for 50, 60 years doing something and uh it looks like I'll be the one that does it.

[00:10:39]So, we'd be happy to do it. We want to open it up to Cuban Americans where they can go back and help.

[00:10:47]After what critics are calling a failed Iran war, speculation is exploding that Washington may be shifting focus to a new confrontation. This time far closer to home. A Latin American nation battered by a worsening economic crisis under heavy sanctions linked to Trump era policy is now openly vowing retaliation, turning economic pressure into outright political defiance. The rhetoric is turning sharper, the warnings louder, and fears arising that a new flash point may be building in America's own backyard. In a thunderous statement, Cuba has firmly asserted its sovereign right to defend itself against any potential US military aggression.

[00:11:32]Ernesto so Guzman, Cuba's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, rejected Washington's claims portraying Havana as a threat.

[00:11:43]In an interview with Russia's TOSS news agency, Guzman said, and I quote, "Cuba is no threat to the United States national security. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying."

[00:11:58]After Nicolas Maduro's ouster in Venezuela, Trump turned his attention to Cuba and ordered an economic blockade that choked off fuel shipment to the Latin American nation, leading to severe blackouts, food shortages, and a collapse in economic activity across the country.

[00:12:17]Authorities report that Cuba has received just a single Russian oil shipment over the past 4 months, a delivery reportedly sufficient to meet only 2 weeks of the country's total crude demand, underscoring the depth of its worsening energy crisis. At the same time, the strain on the national grid is becoming increasingly severe. According to the state electricity company, blackouts engulfed roughly 61% of the power system during Thursday evening's peak demand, plunging large portions of the country into darkness. Officials warned that nearly half of the system was expected to be affected again on Friday as energy shortages continued to destabilize daily life across the island. With fuel imports limited and electricity supply faltering, the situation highlights a mounting crisis in which even routine power demand is now colliding with an increasingly fragile national energy infrastructure.

[00:13:17]You see a great number of cars are just sitting there completely idle. We are facing a massive crippling shortage of fuel. Inflation has been artificially created and the value of the dollar has risen sharply.

[00:13:30]The United Nations said the worsening conditions in Cuba were impacting the health care system in the island nation.

[00:13:38]>> The UN's revised plan of action issued in March, initially launched last year to respond to the devastation of Melissa, now adjusted to respond to the impact of the energy crisis. $94 million is what we're asking for for 2 million people or basically one in every five Cubans. So far we have less than 30% of the funds received 30 million of which a lot of that is also from the central emergency response funds. Members of the press simple message from my side without enough fuel and more funding the most vulnerable people the children older people pregnant women will suffer the most. My call is simple. Life saving aid must reach people quickly and without delays.

[00:14:24]is I want to emphasize that the longer it takes, the the weaker and the stronger the vulnerability gets.

[00:14:34]>> Ahead of his China visit, Donald Trump said he would talk about Cuba at the right time.

[00:14:40]>> The president of Cuba has his days numbered.

[00:14:44]>> Well, he they're not doing well. Cuba is not doing well. It's a failed nation.

[00:14:48]And we'll be talking about Cuba at the right time.

[00:14:53]President President, let me ask you about Venezuela. Some Venezuelans are concerned that there are some political prisoners still in their prisons. Would you do something about that?

[00:15:01]>> Yeah, we'll do it. We're going to get them all out. And I'll tell you what, Deli's doing a great job. The people of Venezuela are thrilled with what's happened. They can't even believe it.

[00:15:10]They're dancing in the streets. And as you know, we have Exxon, we have Chevron, we have all of the big companies going in. And Venezuela now is making more money than they've made in the last 25 years. Mr. Excuse me, sir.

[00:15:25]We, as you know, we let a lot they let a lot of the political prisoners out and the rest will be coming.

[00:15:32]>> Cuba's president, Miguel Diaz Canel rejected latest sanctions imposed by the Trump administration against the island nation. Diaz Canel called on the world's governments not to tolerate this abuse which he compared to the abuses committed in Palestine or Lebanon.

[00:15:51]>> From the perspective of international relations, this executive action is a case of direct and unilateral interference by the United States. It is an act of unacceptable meddling in the internal affairs of another nation.

[00:16:06]Uh this is a clear attempt to force a political model through aggressive economic coercion using domestic laws to dictate the sovereign policies of other nations harming international multilateralism.

[00:16:19]This policy not only seeks regime change, quote unquote, but also constitutes an act of regional destabilization, forcing the international community into an impossible choice between its relationship with Cuba and access to the United States market and financial system. We were able to witness firsthand what was a truly magnificent demonstration of true heroism, of unwavering steadfastness, of ironclad determination, of deep-seated conviction, of revolutionary militancy, and of the indomitable fighting spirit that defines the Cuban people. Just yesterday, the Cuban people managed to achieve two significant victories that are truly emblematic of these challenging, complex, and historic times. Um uh once we have successfully managed to secure more than 80% of the total signatures from the entire Cuban working population who are currently over 17 years of age uh all of whom are firmly in favor of the Cuban revolution and uh and against against the cruel intensifying blockade, the energy blockade and the looming military aggression against Cuba. Each signature was a commitment to our homeland, our revolution and the future of socialism.

[00:17:30]uh they have orchestrated a massive campaign claiming that we are an unusual and extraordinary threat to the United States, that we violate human rights, that we are a a failed state, that we are in an economic collapse, and that they are very concerned about the hardships of of the Cuban people, which is totally an irony and a fallacy. If they are truly so concerned about the situation, they should lift the blockade because the main problems of the Cuban people are directly linked to the imposition of that blockade for such an incredibly long period of time.