Cuban president denounces US attempts to 'seize' Cuba

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel denounced the United States' attempts to "seize" the country and called for the defense of national sovereignty on Sunday during an event held in the western province of Pinar del Rio to commemorate the National Rebellion Day.

Sunday marks the 73rd anniversary of the attacks on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes barracks. And this year also marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro (1926-2016).

On July 26, 1953, a group of young people led by Fidel Castro attacked the Moncada Barracks in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba and the Carlos Manuel de Cespedes Barracks in Bayamo, also in the east, in military actions that failed, but are considered the beginning of the struggle against the Batista dictatorship, which was overthrown in 1959.

During the ceremony, the Cuban president stated that the U.S. is applying a policy against the island "that has set out to suffocate the entire population in order to seize control of the country."

Since last January, Diaz-Canel noted, the Donald Trump administration has imposed a policy of maximum pressure on Cuba, measures that have intensified the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by Washington on Havana for more than six decades.

"I say today that defending Cuba from the cruelty of its executioners is not something that can wait. Defending Cuba means fighting against 21st-century colonialism, against hegemony, against the pretense that a single country should decide the fate of all," he said.

A participant also expressed his determination to never yield to the U.S. embargo and sanctions against Cuba.

"The situation is intensifying, and all the measures implemented by the U.S. government against Cuba are being stepped up. And it is unjust. Cuban people do not attack anyone and do not meddle with anyone. They want to suffocate us — they have us suffocated — but we will never surrender. That is certain," said Jose Diaz, a local attending the event.

Cuban president denounces US attempts to 'seize' Cuba

International crude oil prices plunged more than 6 percent at the start of the new trading week, as investors reacted to the pause in U.S.-Iran military strikes.

As of 18:43 EDT (22:43 GMT) on Sunday, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for September delivery fell to an intraday low of 83.10 U.S. dollars per barrel, down 6.21 dollars, or 6.95 percent. Brent crude for September delivery dropped to an intraday low of 89.58 dollars per barrel, down 7.20 dollars, or 7.44 percent.

The market relief also lifted U.S. stock index futures significantly, while gold and silver futures posted notable gains.

In Asian trading on Monday, oil prices extended losses amid reports that Pakistan was pushing to restart U.S.-Iran talks, fueling optimism over de‑escalation in the Middle East.

As of 06:20 Beijing time Monday (22:20 GMT Sunday), WTI crude for September delivery was trading at 84.88 dollars per barrel, down 4.96 percent, while Brent crude for September delivery stood at 92.04 dollars per barrel, down 4.90 percent.

The pullback came after U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the U.S. military not to carry out strikes on Iran that day, breaking a 13‑day streak of consecutive U.S. air attacks on Iranian targets, according to media reports.

Iran confirmed on Sunday it had halted retaliatory attacks after the United States stopped its strikes over the past two nights.

Oil prices plunge over 6 pct as US-Iran hostilities pause