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US Intensifies Pressure on Cuba Amid Reforms, Trump Hints at 'Taking' Island
Cuba's Deepening Economic Crisis and US Pressure
Cuba is facing severe power outages and an economic crisis this year, exacerbated by the loss of Venezuelan oil after US intervention in Caracas. In response, the United States is intensifying its pressure on the island's communist leadership. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday dismissed Cuba's latest reforms, stating that allowing exiles to invest in businesses would not fix what he called a 'broken system.' This suggests that the US attributes Cuba's economic woes primarily to its socialist economic system.
President Trump's Strong Rhetoric and International Reactions
US President Donald Trump made a clear statement about his tough stance on Cuba, saying he 'could take Cuba' if he wanted. Historian Andres Pertierra noted that Trump's remarks could be 'exploited by the Cuban government's propaganda' to support claims that the US seeks to 'oppress and control Cuba.' He also explained that Cuba's frequent blackouts are due to aging power infrastructure from the Soviet era and a lack of fuel imports, with the US oil embargo further straining an already vulnerable system.
Potential Russian Involvement and US Strategy Against China
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, criticized the US for its 'suffocating embargo' on Cuba, leading to severe economic and humanitarian problems, and stated that Russia is ready to provide all possible assistance. However, Pertierra suggests that Russia may be cautious about active intervention, viewing Cuba as a 'money pit.' The Trump administration has been targeting regions where China's influence is growing, such as Venezuela, Iran, and Cuba, in an effort to weaken China's strategic position. However, Pertierra warns that such short-term aggressive tactics could lead Latin American countries to seek greater independence from Washington in the long run.
*Source: YouTube: DW News (2026-03-18)*
