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President Donald Trump has announced that the United States may soon reach a deal with Cuba as both countries hold talks to address long-standing tensions.
Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you haven’t been following along, Cuba is under a significant amount of pressure right now as the Trump administration intensifies its embargo against the country. Shortly after the fall of Nicolás Maduro, the US moved to cut off oil shipments from Venezuela to Cuba (fuel the island had long relied on). At the same time, pressure also led Mexico to halt shipments, effectively choking off supplies that accounted for more than 80% of Cuba’s energy. The sudden loss of fuel has triggered widespread blackouts, transportation and economic disruptions, pushing the island toward what both US officials and other world leaders describe as a growing humanitarian crisis. Trump has openly said Cuba needs to “make a deal” with the US, fueling speculation that the strategy of cutting off energy while increasing diplomatic pressure is aimed at forcing regime change in the country. Others have speculated that Trump is seeking a clampdown on Chinese influence on the island (similar to what the administration did in Panama).
What’s going on now: While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, President Trump said the United States is already in discussions with Cuba and suggested a deal could happen soon. “Cuba also wants to make a deal. And I think we will pretty soon make a deal or do whatever we have to do,” Trump said while traveling to Washington. He added that while talks are underway, the administration plans to prioritize other international issues first, telling reporters,“We’re talking to Cuba, but we’re going to do Iran before Cuba.”
Trump’s comments come as signs of unrest are emerging across the island amid worsening shortages and power outages tied to the deepening energy crisis. In the central Cuban city of Morón, protesters recently set fire to a local Communist Party office and threw stones at the building during demonstrations that broke out overnight. Authorities said five people were arrested following what the government described as acts of vandalism, while videos circulating online appeared to show crowds breaking into the building and protesters shouting “liberty.”
This all comes days after Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that his government has been holding talks with the United States to address “bilateral differences” and explore potential areas of cooperation. According to Díaz-Canel, the discussions are aimed at determining “the willingness of both parties” to take concrete steps that could address shared threats and improve security for both nations.
