In his first interview with American media, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel spoke about the growing tensions between Cuba and the United States after US President Donald Trump said in March that Cuba was next after Venezuela and Iran.
Diaz-Canel denounced the possibility of a US attack, citing ongoing threats and emphasizing the need to prepare for the island's defense as diplomatic relations remain strained, CBS News reported.
In a wide-ranging interview with the host of the show "Meet the Press" Speaking to NBC News' Kristen Welker in Havana on Thursday, Diaz-Canel said there was "no justification for the United States to launch military aggression against Cuba."
"Invading Cuba would have a price. It would affect the security of Cuba, the United States and the region," he said through an interpreter in his first American television interview.
"If this happens, there will be fighting, there will be struggle and we will defend ourselves, and if we have to die, we will die, because as our national anthem says: "To die for the homeland is to live," the Cuban president said.
He said he was not afraid and that eliminating one person would not solve anything because hundreds were ready to take responsibility.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel supported Cuba's leadership and did not recognize the need for any changes in the government amid President Donald Trump's pressure campaign against the communist country.
Diaz-Canel did not commit to releasing political prisoners and rejected their designation as such, saying there were people in Cuba who did not support the revolution. "and they manifest themselves daily", but they are not in prison.