— I created a great army. I told you there would be no need to use it. But sometimes you have to use them. By the way, Cuba is next, Trump said during a Friday appearance at an investment forum in Miami, as quoted by Reuters. “But pretend I didn't say anything,” he added. However, the president did not explain what specific actions he intended to take against the government in Havana.
US threats against Cuba
The statement in Miami is not the first declaration of this type by the White House. In recent weeks, Trump stated that he would “have the honor of taking Cuba.” He also announced that he would soon do something with the Caribbean island. All these signals indicate Washington's growing interest in the situation in the territory ruled by the communist regime.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently emphasized that new people must take over the power on the island. The head of American diplomacy linked the possible lifting of the embargo with the need for political changes in the country. This statement confirms that the US administration combines the normalization of relations with the requirements of democratization of the system.
Messages from the United States do not go unnoticed in Cuba. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said last weekend that his country is ready for a serious and responsible dialogue with the US amid tense bilateral relations. This declaration of openness to talks comes at a time of escalation of rhetoric from the United States.
Energy crisis in Cuba
Rodriguez's deputy, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, provided much more alarming information. He emphasized that the Cuban government expects the intervention of US troops. For this reason, he ordered the army to prepare to repel a possible attack.
Cuba's economy is in deep crisis due to the oil embargo imposed by the United States. The humanitarian situation on the island is worsening due to the lack of electricity and transport restrictions. The main supplier of oil to Cuba was Venezuela, but after the capture of that country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, by the US in early January, Venezuela stopped deliveries.
