Cuban president denounces U.S. attempts to take over island

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Sunday accused the United States of seeking to "take over" Cuba and called for defending national sovereignty.



Speaking at a ceremony marking the 73rd anniversary of the National Rebellion Day in the western province of Pinar del Rio, Diaz-Canel said Washington was pursuing a policy aimed at "suffocating the entire people in order to take over the country."



He said the U.S. government had implemented a policy of "maximum economic suffocation" against the Cuban people, intensifying the blockade through an energy embargo and financial siege.



The measures had led to a severe crisis in Cuba's power system, causing blackouts lasting for more than a day and paralyzing industrial activity, Diaz-Canel said.



The Cuban president described the blockade as a weapon of war.



Diaz-Canel said the country was fighting "fiercely and stubbornly" for its sovereignty and its right to freely choose its form of government.



Diaz-Canel added the country's strategic priority was to implement "deep and necessary changes" contained in a recently approved 176-measure government program.