Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has condemned the recent "Shield of the Americas" summit hosted by former US President Donald Trump in Florida, labeling it a "neocolonial" gathering that threatens regional stability. The March 2026 event, held at Trump’s Miami-area golf club, saw renewed US threats against Havana amid escalating cross-hemispheric tensions.
In a social media post, Díaz-Canel criticized the summit’s agenda to promote "lethal use of US military force" to resolve domestic challenges in Latin America, calling it a direct assault on the 2014 Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace. The declaration, originally signed by 33 nations in Havana, emphasizes non-intervention and diplomatic conflict resolution.
Trump used the platform to threaten imminent actions against Cuba, stating: "They’re very much at the end of the line… Their regime has been bad for a long time." He also announced a new "Counter Cartel Coalition" initiative authorizing US military operations against organized crime networks regionally.
The summit faced notable absences, with leaders from Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia declining to attend. This development follows Cuba’s ongoing economic struggles since the 2023 disruption of Venezuelan oil supplies after US-led regime change efforts in Caracas.
Analysts suggest the renewed rhetoric signals potential policy shifts as Washington prepares for its 2026 midterm elections. Regional observers warn that escalating tensions could destabilize Caribbean energy markets and migration patterns.
