Cuba's President Rejects U.S. Pressure to Step Down

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel told NBC News in his first interview with a U.S. network that he will not step down under pressure from the United States. The remarks came during a segment of an interview set to air in full on Sunday, where journalist Kristen Welker asked if he would resign to save Cuba. Díaz-Canel responded by questioning whether the question originated from the U.S. government, asserting Cuba's sovereignty and independence. He emphasized that his leadership is mandated by the Cuban people, not external forces. The interview follows heightened tensions between Cuba and the U.S., with both sides acknowledging talks but offering no details. Díaz-Canel accused the U.S. of maintaining a "hostile policy" toward Cuba and criticized its economic blockade, which he said has harmed both Cuban and American people. He expressed openness to dialogue without preconditions, rejecting U.S. demands for political changes in Cuba. Meanwhile, U.S. officials, including Senator Marco Rubio, have called for regime change in Cuba, arguing that its economic system is failing. Rubio suggested that Cubans can only succeed by leaving the country, a stance Díaz-Canel dismissed during the interview.