After Venezuela and Iran, time for Cuba? Trump: There will be another one

Cuba will be next, said US President Donald Trump, quoted by Reuters, in a speech devoted to the actions of US armed forces in Venezuela and against Iran. This is the second such announcement in recent weeks.

– I created a great army. I told you there would be no need to use it. But sometimes you have to use them. Cuba is next, by the way, Trump said in a speech Friday at an investment forum in Miami. – But pretend I didn't say anything – he added.

The American president did not specify what actions he intended to take against the authorities in Havana.

This is another signal from Washington suggesting that the US has plans for the island ruled by communist authorities. In recent weeks, Trump has said, among other things, that he believes he will “have the honor of taking Cuba” and announced that he will “do something with Cuba soon.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that “new people” must take over power on the island, and the possible lifting of the embargo on the island depends on political changes.

US signals do not go unnoticed in Cuba. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said last weekend that Cuba is ready for a “serious and responsible dialogue” with the United States amid tense bilateral relations. His deputy, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, emphasized that the authorities expected the intervention of US troops and therefore ordered the army to prepare to repel a possible attack.

Cuba's economy is in a deep crisis due to the embargo on oil supplies 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 Madur, by the US in early January, these deliveries were also suspended. (PAP)

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