Trump Administrations Endgame in Cuba Revealed by New Cuba Policy

US Administration’s Actions in Cuba Spark Humanitarian Crisis

The United States’ recent actions have led to widespread fuel shortages on the island nation of Cuba, affecting nearly every aspect of life for its 11 million residents. The crisis is a direct result of the administration’s new approach, which includes threatening crippling tariffs on any country providing fuel shipments.

President Donald Trump has taken a more aggressive stance than Washington’s decades-long embargo on Cuba. He has also sent conflicting messages, stating that he seeks to “work a deal” with the Cuban government while hinting at regime change. Analysts have expressed uncertainty about the administration’s goals and what terms would be considered satisfactory in any potential agreement.

Some experts believe that Trump may be seeking a deal with the Cuban government, while others think that the oil embargo could lead to social collapse on the island. A third possibility is that the US could adopt a Venezuelan-style approach, keeping the government in place while installing a more pliable leader.

The Cuban government has expressed openness to dialogue with the US, but only under certain conditions. President Miguel Diaz-Canel has stated that Cuba seeks peace and is willing to talk without pressure or precondition. However, he has also condemned Washington’s “criminal policy” against the country, which affects food, transportation, hospitals, schools, economic production, and vital systems.

Analysts have noted that any new agreement between the US and Cuba would need to address concerns about sovereignty. Cuba lacks Venezuela’s significant oil reserves but contains rare and critical earth minerals. The terms of any potential deal remain unclear, and it is uncertain what extractions Trump would consider satisfactory.

In the short term, Trump appears to be leaning towards messaging that calls for an agreement with Diaz-Canel’s government. However, the exact nature of any contacts and the terms of any proposal have not yet emerged.

Source: Al Jazeera