Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Trump Targets Cuba for Regime Change
The Trump administration is trying to find people inside the Cuban government who might help them make a deal to remove the Communist leaders.
They think Cuba is weaker now because Venezuela, which was a big supporter, is in trouble.
The U.S. is putting more pressure on Cuba with sanctions and other measures.
The Cuban government says these threats are wrong and that the U.S. is using help for hurricane victims for political reasons.
Some people in Cuba are protesting against these actions, and countries like Russia and Iran are supporting Cuba.
The U.S. hopes to end Communist rule in Cuba without using military force, but it's not clear who would replace the current leaders if they leave.
The Trump administration is seeking Cuban government insiders to negotiate a transfer of power by the end of 2024.
Cuba's economic reliance on Venezuela has left it vulnerable due to Venezuela's collapse and reduced oil supply.
The U.S. is applying economic and diplomatic pressure, including sanctions, visa bans, and curbs on medical missions.
Cuban leaders have publicly rejected U.S. pressure, calling threats 'clear miscalculations' and accusing the U.S. of political manipulation.
Russia and Iran support Cuba, while many U.S. allies want an end to Communist rule in Cuba.
- Who
- Donald Trump administration, Cuban government, Russian and Iranian governments, US allies
- What
- Efforts to broker a political deal to oust Cuba's Communist regime, economic and diplomatic pressure, humanitarian aid
- When
- End of 2024
- Where
- Cuba, Venezuela, United States, Russia, Iran
- Why
- Perceived vulnerability of Cuba's regime due to economic strain and the collapse of Venezuela as a key economic partner, desire to end Communist rule and cement Trump's legacy
US Government
Cuban Government
Regime Change
US Government
Seeking insiders to negotiate transfer of power, applying economic and diplomatic pressure.
Cuban Government
Rejects US pressure, calls threats 'clear miscalculations', maintains close ties with adversaries.
Economic Pressure
US Government
Sanctions, visa bans, curbs on medical missions, preventing Venezuelan oil from reaching Cuba.
Cuban Government
Accuses US of opportunistic and political manipulation of humanitarian aid.
Military Threat
US Government
Implicit threat through Venezuelan operation, no public threat of military force in Cuba.
Cuban Government
No direct response to military threat, focuses on rejecting US pressure and maintaining sovereignty.
- Key Figures
- Donald Trump, Miguel Díaz-Canel, Nicolás Maduro, Raúl Castro, Jeremy Lewin, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, Bruno Rodriguez, Ricardo Zuniga
- Economic Pressure
- Sanctions, visa bans, curbs on medical missions, preventing Venezuelan oil from reaching Cuba
- Strategic Push
- Post-Venezuela geopolitical strategy, identifying insiders for deal-making
- Economic Impact
- Shortages, power blackouts, reduced oil supply, potential economic collapse
- International Response
- Russia and Iran support Cuba, US allies want an end to Communist rule
- Public Reaction
- Mass demonstration in Havana, civil society barely exists in Cuba
- Timeline
- End of 2024
- Humanitarian Aid
- $3 million in disaster relief sent to Cuba, Cuban government accuses US of political manipulation
