Trump Raises Prospect of US 'Taking' Cuba Amid Nationwide Blackout
In a striking statement from the White House, President Donald Trump on Monday raised the possibility of the United States "taking" Cuba. He told reporters, "I do believe I will be having the honour of taking Cuba." Elaborating further, Trump added, "I mean, whether I free it, take it. I think I can do anything I want with it. They're a very weakened nation right now."
Cuba's Economic Crisis and Planned Announcement
The president's comments came on the same day Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout, driven by diminishing fuel supplies. This crisis has exacerbated the island's severe humanitarian and energy situation, with experts warning that Cuba could run out of fuel within weeks due to a de facto blockade by the Trump administration. For the past three months, the US has choked off Cuba's access to foreign oil, intensifying the pressure.
Amid this turmoil, Cuban officials had planned to announce on Monday evening that the country's communist government would open itself to foreign investment, including from the US. Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga, Cuba's deputy prime minister and minister of foreign trade, told NBC News, "Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with US companies, also with Cubans residing in the US and their descendants." He emphasized that this move extends beyond commerce, stating, "This goes beyond the commercial realm. It also applies to investments, not only to small ones, but also to large ones." However, the scheduled announcement could not be broadcast due to the blackout, and it remains unclear how widely Cuba intends to open its economy.
US Push for Leadership Change in Cuba
In response to the situation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that Cuba "needs new people in charge" to repair its broken system. Rubio, who is of Cuban heritage, criticized the island's governance, noting, "They have an economy that doesn't work in a political and governmental system. They can't fix it." He added, "They have to change dramatically."
According to four people familiar with the talks, the Trump administration is actively seeking to push Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel from power. This move aims to topple a key figurehead while leaving in place the repressive Communist government that has ruled Cuba for over 65 years. The Americans have signaled to Cuban negotiators that Diaz-Canel must go, but are leaving the next steps up to the Cubans themselves.
Notably, the US is not currently pushing for any action against Fidel Castro's family members, who remain the country's top power brokers, as confirmed by two of the people involved. This approach aligns with the Trump administration's broader foreign policy strategy, which focuses on forcing regime compliance rather than pursuing full regime change. Some officials believe that removing Cuba's head of state could facilitate structural economic reforms that Diaz-Canel, viewed as a hard-liner, is unlikely to support.
Broader Context and Implications
The developments occur against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the region, including US military actions against Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz and conflicts involving Israel and Iran. However, the focus on Cuba highlights the Trump administration's targeted efforts to influence change in the Caribbean nation through economic pressure and diplomatic maneuvers.
As Cuba grapples with its energy crisis and potential economic opening, the international community watches closely. The interplay between Trump's provocative rhetoric, US policy shifts, and Cuba's internal struggles underscores a volatile period in US-Cuba relations, with significant implications for regional stability and global geopolitics.
