On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced his intention to initiate discussions with Cuba, signaling his dissatisfaction with the GOP’s lack of dialogue on the issue.
“Not a single Republican has approached me about Cuba, a nation in decline and in need of assistance. We are going to engage in conversation!” Trump expressed on Truth Social.
His remarks followed a report from Monday highlighting Trump’s irritation with the current Cuban government’s grip on power, despite U.S. efforts to impose pressure through sanctions.
Additionally, sources indicate that the Pentagon is preparing for the possibility of a military intervention in Cuba, should the President issue such an order, as reported by NBC.
Trump’s post shifts the responsibility to Republicans, while figures like Senate Majority Leader John Thune voice their apprehensions about another offensive, noting their current focus on the situation in Iran.
Thune stated, “Our priority at the moment is addressing the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
GOP leaders are pressing Trump to prioritize the Iran crisis and the Strait of Hormuz.
With cargo traffic stalled, skyrocketing global energy costs are driving up US fuel prices. The national averages have climbed sharply over the last few months, with regular gasoline now sitting comfortably above the $4 mark.
Thune has expressed a desire for Cuba’s socialist regime to fail, however, he argued the transition should occur naturally.
The island is currently facing continuous nationwide blackouts and an unprecedented economic crisis, worsened by an oil blockade imposed by the US
The Trump administration called the Cuban government an ‘unusual and extraordinary threat’ to the US
President Trump suggested plans to take over Cuba ‘almost immediately,’ after ‘finishing the job’ in Iran. Pictured: A person walks along an area of the Malecon in Havana, Cuba, on April 9
‘I’d love to see regime change, we all would, in Cuba,’ he said. ‘Maybe that happens just by force of events. I think things are happening around the world putting more pressure on a lot of these dictatorial-type governments. Maybe there’s something there that will happen organically.’
Rejecting the idea of armed conflict, Sen. James Lankford urged the administration to rely on the ‘toll’ of toughened sanctions rather than a military strike.
‘No, I would not,’ Lankford said regarding his support for an operation. The Oklahoma Republican argued for the power of financial leverage, noting, ‘There’s a lot of economic pressure you can put on Cuba that makes a big difference by itself.’
Trump said earlier this month that he plans to take over Cuba ‘almost immediately,’ after ‘finishing the job’ in Iran.
‘Cuba’s got problems. We’ll finish one first. I like to finish the job,’ Trump declared at an event in Palm Beach earlier this month.
The island is currently facing continuous nationwide blackouts and an unprecedented economic crisis, which has been worsened by an oil blockade imposed by the United States following the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Trump described a hypothetical scenario involving a US military presence offshore, in which a massive American aircraft carrier would stop just outside Cuban waters while returning from the Middle East.
Rubio entering the press briefing room was warmly greeted by room full of eager repoters
The Secretary of State noted how Cuba’s economy is collapsing due to it being cut off from Venezuela’s oil supply following the overthrow of ex-dictator Nicolás Maduro
The president previously said Cuba would be ‘next’ after the Middle East, though no formal plan was ever announced
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel described the new sanctions as ‘coercive’
Trump signed an executive order expanding US sanctions on the Cuban government
Trump suggested an American aircraft carrier could stop just outside Cuban waters while returning from the war in Iran
Protestors seen outside the event held at Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
‘On the way back from Iran, we’ll have one of our big – maybe the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier – the biggest in the world,’ Trump said.
‘We’ll have that come in, stop about 100 yards offshore, and they’ll say, ‘Thank you very much, we give up.’
Trump and Rubio have both been outspoken about wanting regime change in the island nation.
In January, Rubio testified before Congress, saying, ‘I think we would love to see the regime there change,’ referring to Cuba.
Trump also doubled down back in March, saying he wants to have ‘the honor of taking Cuba,’ adding, ‘Whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it.’
Since the administration’s capture of Venezuela’s former dictator Nicolás Maduro, Trump and his team have openly floated Cuba as their next target, though there was little sign of a US military operation against the island until Rubio posed for a photo with Cuba prominently on the map behind him alongside SOUTHCOM commander General Donovan.
The administration has also expressed hope that Cuba’s dire financial situation – worsened after Maduro’s overthrow cut the island off from free Venezuelan oil – will trigger a leadership collapse.
