US Ratchets Pressure on Cuba Amid Calls for Leadership Change

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US President Donald Trump have made statements regarding Cuba’s economic situation and potential actions by the US government.

On Tuesday, during an Oval Office event, Rubio stated that Cuba needs new leadership due to its struggling economy and political system. He also expressed concerns about the country’s recent decision allowing citizens living in exile to invest and own businesses within the country, which he deemed insufficient.

Rubio noted that Cuba has relied on subsidies since the 1950s Cuban revolution and suggested that the current leaders lack the necessary skills to address the economic crisis. “The people in charge, they don’t know how to fix it,” he said. He emphasized the need for new leadership to implement meaningful reforms.

Meanwhile, Trump stated on Tuesday that a new action regarding Cuba is imminent. His previous comments have included suggestions of a potential “friendly takeover” of the country. The US and Cuba recently announced talks to end the pressure campaign against the island nation.

The US has maintained a decades-long trade embargo against Cuba since 1960. A recent national power outage highlighted the dire situation on the island, where periodic blackouts are common. By early Tuesday, power had been restored to two-thirds of the country, including 45% of Havana, which is home to approximately 1.7 million people.

The US government has called for President Miguel Diaz-Canel’s potential replacement, although no details have emerged at this time. The Trump administration and Cuban officials are engaged in ongoing discussions aimed at resolving the economic crisis on the island.

Source: Al Jazeera