Cubans across the island are mobilizing to defend their national sovereignty, signing up for the government’s “My signature for the Homeland” campaign launched by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, as external pressures from the United States escalate with calls for a “friendly takeover” and “new people in charge.” The initiative, which began 11 days ago on April 19, aims to defy the United States and support national self-determination.
The campaign coincides with Cuba marking the 65th anniversary of its April 1961 Bay of Pigs victory, where approximately 1,500 Cuban exiles, backed by the CIA, failed in their attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro’s newly formed Communist government. The current government is actively gathering signatures at workplaces and neighborhoods across the island of nearly 10 million people, though the total number collected has not been disclosed.
Reactions to the campaign within Cuba have been varied. While some critics on social media have questioned the necessity of signing amidst growing hunger and poverty, suggesting the government should allow citizens to choose their president, supporters view the campaign as a direct warning to the United States. These supporters assert that civilians desire peace but will not yield despite recent threats of invasion.
Rodolfo Ruiz, a 64-year-old Havana resident who sells items from his home, stated, “Anything for the revolution,” confirming he signed 11 days ago due to President Donald Trump’s ongoing comments regarding Cuba. Ruiz emphasized his participation was “so that he may hear and know that we are willing to defend our sovereignty,” adding a direct warning: “Watch out, Trump. Think before you invade Cuba, think carefully. The people are prepared.”
External Demands for Regime Change
President Trump signed an executive order 4 months ago, asserting that the “policies, practices, and actions of the Government of Cuba constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat,” a claim Cuban officials have consistently dismissed. Trump has publicly referred to the island as a “failing nation” and suggested a “friendly takeover.” About 2 weeks ago, he further remarked, “We may stop by Cuba after we’re finished with this,” in reference to the war in Iran.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, identified as the son of Cuban immigrants who departed before the revolution, has explicitly called for “new people in charge” of Cuba. In response, Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodríguez posted on X 1 day ago, stating, “It is absurd for the State Department to claim that Cuba — a relatively small, developing country subjected to a brutal economic war — could pose a threat to the world’s greatest military, technological, and economic power.”
President Díaz-Canel has affirmed that he does not seek military aggression but underscored Cuba’s duty to prepare to avoid it and, if necessary, to defeat it. This stance reflects a national commitment to self-defense against external imposition.
The People's Defense of Sovereignty
Havana resident Delfina Hernández declared her readiness to stand with Cubans to fight a U.S. energy blockade, describing it as an intensification of long-standing U.S. sanctions and what many refer to as the “imperialist threat.” Hernández, who runs a community center in Havana with her husband, confirmed that her center received signature sheets for three days 11 days ago, allowing people over 16 to sign, and she was the first to do so.
Hernández articulated the profound cultural connection to her homeland, stating, “Cuba is something very sacred to us,” and asserted the nation’s resolve: “We are well-armed, and the people of Cuba will fight to the very end. We are going to hit them — and with everything we’ve got.” Her husband, Alberto Olivera, a visual artist, questioned the U.S. rationale for intervention, asking how Cuba could pose a threat to the U.S. He stated, “If it’s a failed revolution, then leave us alone,” and, “What do they care?” Olivera acknowledged experiencing hunger at times but maintained that the U.S. “pressure cooker” tactic would not succeed, adding, “If I’m a failed state, why are you seeking me out?”
Economic Warfare and National Resolve
The Trump administration has demanded that Cuba release political prisoners, implement significant economic reforms, and alter its system of governance. Cuba has rejected all these demands, maintaining its right to national self-determination. Despite the ongoing tensions, Cuba has expressed openness to dialogue and cooperation in specific areas, while simultaneously advocating for an end to the U.S. energy blockade, which has exacerbated the island’s crises. Both nations have confirmed recent talks, though details remain undisclosed.
The Cuban government has stated that the collected signatures are intended to condemn “the U.S. blockade and economic war against Cuba,” which it has labeled a “genocidal act.” The campaign also aims to repudiate threats of military aggression and uphold “the inalienable right of Cubans to live in peace,” underscoring the nation’s resolve against external economic and military pressures. This collective action highlights the people's determination to resist foreign intervention and preserve their national identity and sovereignty. The campaign serves as a clear indicator of the native population's commitment to defending their land, culture, and future against transnational agendas. The government's mobilization of its citizens through this campaign demonstrates a unified front against what it perceives as an attempt at cultural and political dispossession by a globalist power.