Trending Now - Cuban Leader Díaz-canel Defies Calls for Resignation in NBC Interview
WHO:
NBC News - Miguel Díaz-Canel is the President of Cuba.
NBC News - Kristen Welker is the moderator of NBC News' "Meet the Press."
WHAT:
USA Today - Díaz-Canel was handpicked by Cuba’s former leader Raúl Castro as his successor and is known for his adherence to communist principles.
USA Today - Díaz-Canel stated, “We’re interested in engaging in dialogue and discuss any topic without any condition,” during the interview.
USA Today - Díaz-Canel remarked, “not demanding changes from our political system, just as we’re not demanding changes from the American system.”
NBC News - Díaz-Canel stated, “I have no fear. I am willing to give my life for the revolution” in response to Trump’s threats of a potential takeover and leadership change.
USA Today - Díaz-Canel stated he will not step down if pressured by the U.S. during diplomatic talks.
USA Today - Díaz-Canel remarked, “Would you ask that question of Trump?” during the interview.
USA Today - Díaz-Canel emphasized that leaders in Cuba are not elected by the U.S. government and do not have a mandate from it.
USA Today - Díaz-Canel expressed interest in engaging in dialogue with the U.S. without any conditions, stating, “not demanding changes from our political system, just as we’re not demanding changes from the American system.”
NBC News - Díaz-Canel stated, "stepping down [is] not part of our vocabulary" during the interview.
NBC News - Díaz-Canel stated that Cuban leaders do not have a mandate from the U.S. government.
NBC News - Díaz-Canel stated that the U.S. government has been exerting economic pressure on Cuba and mentioned that Trump has talked about "taking" the country.
NBC News - Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that he is "not stepping down" during an interview.
NBC News - Díaz-Canel remarked that "stepping down [is] not part of our vocabulary."
Deadline - The interview is described as Díaz-Canel's first American television interview.
WHERE:
NBC News - The interview took place in Havana, Cuba.
WHEN:
NBC News - The interview was conducted on Thursday, April 7th, 2026.
Deadline - The interview was taped on Thursday morning, April 7th, 2026.
WHY:
USA Today - Rubio stated, “The bottom line is, their economy doesn’t work. It’s a non-functional economy,” during a White House meeting last month.
USA Today - Rubio emphasized that the "status quo" in Cuba is unacceptable and stated that change on the island could take time, saying, "It doesn’t have to change all at once."
USA Today - Rubio later asserted that Cuba can only change if it has new leadership, stating, “The bottom line is, their economy doesn’t work. It’s a non-functional economy.”
USA Today - The U.S. and Cuban officials have met to discuss future relations, including expanding economic ties.
USA Today - Trump has indicated he wants Cuba to "make a deal" and is prepared to use Washington's leverage on Cuba.
NBC News - The U.S. government has reportedly called for Díaz-Canel to resign amid economic pressure exerted by Trump.
HOW:
USA Today - The U.S. has imposed a virtual oil embargo on Cuba, contributing to an energy crisis on the island, leading to prolonged blackouts and struggles in hospitals to provide adequate care.
USA Today - The U.S. has imposed a virtual oil embargo on Cuba, contributing to an energy crisis on the island.
Deadline - The interview was described as an exclusive sit-down with Díaz-Canel, marking his first American television interview.
Deadline - The interview was conducted by Kristen Welker for NBC News' "Meet the Press."
(UPDATED April 10, 2026 17:14 UTC)
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who was chosen by Raúl Castro as his successor, expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue without preconditions during a recent interview. He emphasized that Cuba is not demanding changes from the American political system, just as they are not asking for changes to their own. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio criticized Cuba's economy as non-functional, while the U.S. continues to enforce a virtual oil embargo that has exacerbated the island's energy crisis, resulting in extended blackouts and challenges for hospitals.
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(UPDATED April 10, 2026 13:22 UTC)
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel declared he has no fear and is willing to give his life for the revolution, responding to threats from Trump regarding a potential takeover and leadership change. Meanwhile, Senator Marco Rubio emphasized that while the "status quo" in Cuba is unacceptable, any change on the island could take time, noting that it doesn’t have to happen all at once. Rubio also pointed out that Cuba can only progress with new leadership, stating that the current economy is non-functional.
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(UPDATED April 10, 2026 11:17 UTC)
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has stated he will not step down if pressured by the U.S. during ongoing diplomatic talks, emphasizing that Cuban leaders are not elected by the U.S. government and do not have a mandate from it. He expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S. without any conditions, highlighting that neither side should demand changes to their political systems. This comes as U.S. and Cuban officials are discussing future relations, including the expansion of economic ties, while the U.S. maintains a virtual oil embargo on Cuba, contributing to an ongoing energy crisis on the island.
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(UPDATED April 10, 2026 07:22 UTC)
In an exclusive sit-down interview with NBC News, Díaz-Canel emphasized that "stepping down [is] not part of our vocabulary." This marks his first American television interview, highlighting the significance of his statements. The interview took place at 21:13 UTC, drawing attention to the Cuban leader's stance on leadership.
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(UPDATED April 10, 2026 01:22 UTC)
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that Cuban leaders do not have a mandate from the U.S. government. This statement was made during an interview with NBC News. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions between the two nations.
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(UPDATED April 9, 2026 23:11 UTC)
On Tuesday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel accused the U.S. government of applying economic pressure on Cuba. He also claimed that Trump has discussed the idea of "taking" the country. This statement was reported by NBC News at 21:13 UTC.
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(UPDATED April 9, 2026 21:13 UTC)
Miguel Díaz-Canel, the President of Cuba, firmly stated during his first American television interview that he is "not stepping down," emphasizing that "stepping down [is] not part of our vocabulary." The interview, conducted by Kristen Welker for NBC News' "Meet the Press," took place in Havana on Thursday morning, on Tuesday, amid reports that the U.S. government has called for his resignation due to economic pressures from Trump. Díaz-Canel's remarks come at a time of significant tension between Cuba and the United States.