CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

Cuba is Not Alone! Cuba Will Not Yield! An interview with Adrián Heredia, Second Secretary of the Cuban Embassy, Washington, D.C.

I met Adrián Heredia, the Second Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C. at the Cuba Under Siege conference on March 14th in New York City.  Adrián had recently assumed his role at the Cuban Embassy in January 2026, shortly before Trump issued his libelous Executive Order of January 29th which labeled Cuba a national security threat and instituted a total blockade on oil to Cuba.  Since then, Adrián and his colleagues at the Embassy have been working continuously to break through the mountain of lies propagated by the edict.

Given the pressing need to combat disinformation and disseminate the perspectives and responses of the Cuban government, we discussed the possibility of an interview that could be published in CounterPunch, a journal that has consistently supported the Cuban revolution and given voice to Cuban diplomatic leaders such as Ricardo Alarcón.  We offer this interview to enhance understanding and strengthen solidarity.

DB:  Thank you for taking the time to clarify the perspective of the Cuban government on the escalating attacks against Cuba since January 29th.  To begin with, what is your position at the Embassy and why do you think it’s important for you as part of the Embassy to do this interview now?

AH:  I currently serve as Second Secretary at the Embassy of Cuba in Washington, D.C. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and as part of my Embassy position I am responsible for academic affairs, where I work to promote dialogue and cooperation with universities, research institutions, and academic organizations across the United States.

Given my role, I am closely engaged with spaces where informed discussion and critical thinking are essential. That is precisely why I believe it is important to speak at this moment. The current state of bilateral relations—and its very real consequences for the Cuban people—makes it necessary that perspectives grounded in our reality are heard and understood.

I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this conversation and to share our views with a broader audience.

DB:  What are the main ways in which the U.S. has intensified its actions against Cuba since the beginning of 2026?

 AH:  Since the beginning of 2026, the United States has significantly escalated its campaign of political and economic pressure against Cuba. This has included not only hostile rhetoric........

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