Trump administration weighs military option in Cuba, prioritizes diplomacy
TASS
The White House is considering a military campaign to change the regime in Cuba, but diplomatic solutions remain the focus for now, according to Politico. Washington has urged Havana to undertake economic reforms and has indicated that some senior Cuban officials must resign. President Trump previously stated the U.S. could establish friendly control over Cuba.
WASHINGTON, May 2. /TASS/. Politico, citing sources within President Donald Trump's administration, reports that the White House is considering a military campaign in Cuba aimed at a comprehensive regime change, but diplomatic solutions remain the priority for now.
According to the sources, Washington has urged Havana to undertake economic reforms, including privatizing state-owned enterprises, allowing more foreign investment, providing Cuban citizens with better internet access, and requiring Cuba to purchase U.S. energy.
The newspaper added that the U.S. has conveyed to Cuba that while “it may have to wait” for regime change, certain senior Cuban officials would need to resign.
Earlier, on March 5, Trump stated that Washington would chart a next course toward Cuba after completing its military campaign against Iran. On many previous occasions, he repeatedly asserted that Cuba's government and economy are on the verge of collapse after oil supplies from Venezuela were cut off under U.S. pressure. On February 27, Trump said the U.S. could “establish a friendly control over Cuba.”
On the Cuban side, on March 13, President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Havana and Washington held talks “aimed at finding a solution through dialogue on bilateral differences.” However, in February, the Axios news portal reported, citing sources, that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was secretly discussing the island's future with Raul Castro's grandson, Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro.
