The Trump administration is reportedly working towards a regime change in Cuba, aiming to negotiate an end to the island’s communist rule by the year’s end.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, efforts include identifying Cuban officials who might assist the U.S. in ousting the current communist leadership.
While a detailed strategy to dismantle the nearly 70-year-old communist government hasn’t been formulated, sources suggest that its hold on Cuba is increasingly tenuous.
Following the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, U.S. officials have noted that Cuba’s economy is nearing collapse.
American intelligence reports highlight that Cuba is grappling with severe shortages of essential goods and medicines, along with frequent power outages.
Cuba’s reliance on oil from Maduro’s regime has left it vulnerable, with predictions that its fuel supplies could be depleted in a matter of weeks.
The Trump administration aims to prevent any more Venezuelan oil from flowing to Cuba to weaken the regime further.
Maduroâs capture by US forces and the subsequent success the Trump administration has had in getting concessions from the Venezuelan government is being viewed as a blueprint for Cuba, US officials said.Â
The Jan. 3 military operation to arrest Maduro required help from an asset within the Venezuelan dictatorâs inner circle. To identify a similar potential asset in Cuba, the Trump administration has been meeting with Cuban exiles and civic groups in Miami and Washington, US officials told the Journal.Â
The Trump administration could ratchet up the pressure on Cuba while simultaneously negotiating âan off-rampâ for the countryâs leaders, namely 94-year-old Raúl Castro â the brother of deceased longtime dictator Fidel Castro â and Cuban President Miguel DÃaz-Canel.
President Trump warned Cuba earlier this year that itâs time to âmake a deal.â
“THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO!â Trump wrote in a Jan. 11 Truth Social post.
âI strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,â he added.
The White House did not immediately respond to The Postâs request for comment.
