President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of conducting a "friendly takeover" of Cuba, pointing to the country's catastrophic economic situation. This statement came at a time when US sanctions and the loss of support from Venezuela following the collapse of the Maduro regime have pushed the island to the brink of collapse, resulting in drastic fuel shortages and transport paralysis. Trump emphasized that Cubans "have nothing," and the US could apply a model similar to actions taken towards Venezuela.

Concept of a friendly takeover

Donald Trump suggested a political takeover of control over Cuba, exploiting its extreme economic weakness and lack of basic resources.

Fuel crisis in Havana

The US fuel blockade has paralyzed transport on the island, forcing residents to rely solely on bicycles for mobility.

Role of Marco Rubio

The politician of Cuban descent is set to oversee the regime change operation on the island, combining the competencies of several offices.

US President Donald Trump has sparked a wave of speculation with his latest comments regarding Cuba's future. During a public appearance, he declared that the United States might consider a scenario described as a "friendly takeover" of the island. He argued that the current regime in Havana has driven the state into complete bankruptcy, and its citizens are grappling with unimaginable poverty. Trump noted that Cubans lack funds and basic raw materials, which in his view opens the door to US intervention of a political-economic nature. The Washington administration appears to view Cuba as another element of a broader strategy in Latin America, directly referencing events in Venezuela. Relations between Washington and Havana have remained tense since the Cuban Revolution in 1959. After a brief thaw during the Barack Obama administration, subsequent governments returned to a policy of isolation and rigorous economic sanctions.The situation on the island itself is tragic, confirmed by reports of transport paralysis caused by fuel shortages. The energy blockade imposed by the US has forced residents to massively resort to bicycles, a phenomenon media have dubbed a "bicycle boom" born of desperation. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned that Cuba is on the brink of total social collapse. Meanwhile, Donald Trump indicates that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, known for his hardline stance against Latin American dictatorships, will play a key role in the new policy towards the island. Rubio is set to combine several key functions within the administration, which is intended to strengthen the effectiveness of US pressure. „We might very well have a friendly takeover of Cuba. They have no money, they have no food, they have nothing.” — Donald Trump Analysts note that the term "friendly takeover" is a concept borrowed from the business world, which is characteristic of Trump's rhetoric. It may suggest a desire to install a government in Havana willing to cooperate in exchange for lifting the embargo and providing humanitarian aid. Simultaneously, the US continues pressure in other points of the region, forcing, among others, Venezuela to cancel the sale of oil assets of companies linked to American capital, which is intended to limit Russian and Chinese influence in the Caribbean basin. Critics, however, point out that such sharp rhetoric may have the opposite of the intended effect, strengthening Cuban propaganda about an external aggressor.

Mentioned People

  • Donald Trump — President of the United States, author of the proposal to take over Cuba.
  • Marco Rubio — US Secretary of State, a key figure for policy towards Latin America.