Communist Cuba threatens "bloodbath" response to any US military intervention

"I know Cuba is a strong country. Cubans are very brave and they are not going to find us unprepared," said Sandra Roseaux, 57. "If they come, they will have to fight, because Cuba will respond. My country, hungry or however it may be, will respond. It is better that they do not come because there will be a fight."

Cuba, a communist foe of Washington for generations, has come under increasing strain since the United States cut off its energy supplies after arresting the president of its then-ally Venezuela in January. In recent weeks fuel has run out and electricity is often available for only an hour or two a day.

Tensions between the two countries have risen sharply in recent days. Reuters reported last week, citing a US Department of Justice source, that prosecutors planned to indict former Cuban leader Raul Castro over Cuba's 1996 shooting down of two planes operated by a humanitarian group.