Trump Proposes 'Friendly Takeover' of Cuba Amid Escalating Tensions
In a striking development, former US President Donald Trump has floated the idea of a "friendly takeover" of Cuba, as diplomatic strains between Washington and Havana intensify following the capture of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro. Speaking as he departed the White House for a campaign event in Texas on Friday, Trump remarked, "The Cuban government is talking with us. They're in a big deal of trouble."
Economic and Political Pressure Mounts
Trump provided no specific details but referenced widespread reports of US officials engaging with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of 94-year-old Raúl Castro, during the Caribbean leaders summit, Caricom. These talks are part of broader negotiations aimed at opening up the island nation. Trump elaborated, "They have no money, they have no anything right now. But they're talking with us and maybe we'll have a friendly takeover of Cuba."
This statement comes at a time when US-Cuba relations have deteriorated to one of their lowest points in a contentious 67-year history. The US has ramped up pressure on Cuba's struggling regime after successfully orchestrating the abduction of Venezuelan president and Cuban ally Nicolás Maduro in January. Prior to the attack on Caracas, US officials secured cooperation from Maduro's deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, now Venezuela's acting president, who pledged to open the country's substantial oil reserves to foreign companies.
Impact on Cuba's Economy and Sovereignty
Washington's pressure has also led to the departure of Venezuelan attorney general Tarek William Saab and prompted Venezuela to halt oil exports to Cuba. Concurrently, the US has imposed an oil blockade on the island, further crippling its already fragile economy. Trump alluded to this, stating, "I've been hearing about Cuba since I was a little boy, but they're in big trouble." He suggested that a takeover could benefit the large Cuban exile community in the US, saying, "You know, we have people living here that want to go back to Cuba, and they're very happy with what's going on."
Trump's acquisitive language has raised concerns among Cubans about a potential repeat of history, where US financial dominance was a key factor in Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution. Cuban president Miguel Díaz-Canel has previously emphasized that while his government is open to dialogue, any discussions must respect Cuba's sovereignty, independence, and self-determination, and cannot involve internal affairs.
Academic and Historical Perspectives
Manuel Barcía, a history professor at the University of Bath with family in Cuba, commented, "I reckon Cuba's Berlin Wall moment is around the corner. It sounds like [US secretary of state] Marco Rubio has orchestrated a very impressive take down." Trump has long relied on electoral support from Cuban exiles in Miami, who have aspirations of overthrowing the island's Communist government.
These remarks follow a recent incident where a group of heavily armed exiles from Florida attempted to land a launch with weapons on Cuba's north coast, resulting in a gunfight that left four dead and seven injured. This event underscores the volatile nature of the situation and the deep-seated animosities involved.
As tensions reach new heights, Trump's proposal of a "friendly takeover" marks a significant shift in public rhetoric, potentially signaling a more aggressive US stance towards Cuba in the coming months.
