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The Guardian World1 min read
US raises threat of military action against Cuba
TL;DR
The US government has escalated military threats against Cuba, citing national security concerns linked to Cuba's ties with Russia and China. President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio are pushing for regime change amid a fuel blockade impacting Cuba's economy.
Key points
- US threatens military action against Cuba
- Cuba linked to national security threats from Russia and China
- Fuel blockade impacting Cuban economy
- Indictment of former President Raul Castro
- Low likelihood of diplomatic resolution
Mentioned in this story
Donald TrumpMarco RubioRaul Castro
Cuba
United States President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have issued new threats of military action against Cuba.
Rubio told reporters late on Thursday that Cuba has been a national security threat for years because of its ties to US adversaries Russia and China, while Trump said he is likely to be the president to finally take action.
The Trump administration, with Cuban-American Rubio at the forefront, has been raising the pressure on the communist-led island in an apparent bid to institute “regime change,” including a fuel blockade that has put the Cuban economy on the edge of collapse.
The push has accelerated in recent days, with the US indicting Cuba’s former President Raul Castro and gathering military forces in the Caribbean.
Rejecting suggestions of “nation building,” Rubio told reporters the issue is one of “national security”. He added that while a negotiated agreement is the US “preference”, the path of diplomacy with Cuba is “not high”.
“Their economic system doesn’t work. It’s broken, and you can’t fix it with the current political system that’s in place,” Rubio said.
Over the years, Cuba has gotten used to “buying time and waiting us out,” Rubio said. “They’re not going to be able to wait us out or buy time. We’re very serious, we’re very focused.”
Separately, President Donald Trump told reporters that US presidents have considered intervening in Cuba for decades, but that it looks like he will be “the one that does it”, adding that he would be “happy” to do so.
In response, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez lambasted Rubio for falsely labelling Cuba a threat.
“The US secretary of state lies once again to instigate a military aggression that would provoke the shedding of Cuban and American blood,” Rodriguez said.
Raised tension
Since returning to office, Trump has slapped Cuba with numerous sanctions, implemented a fuel blockade and overseen a military build-up in the region.
The renewed threats on Thursday came amid rising tensions between the countries.
The US indicted Cuba’s former President Raul Castro on Wednesday, in connection with the 1996 downing of a plane.
On Thursday, Adys Lastres Morera – sister of a high-ranking executive of the Grupo de Administracion Empresarial SA (GAESA) conglomerate, which is controlled by Cuba’s military and controls large swaths of the economy – was arrested.
More sanctions were imposed on the Cuban government in the past week. The US military announced that several navy ships, including an aircraft carrier, had arrived in the Caribbean on Wednesday to take part in maritime exercises with partners in Latin America.
Q&A
What prompted the US to threaten military action against Cuba?
The US has raised military threats against Cuba due to its longstanding ties with adversaries like Russia and China, which are viewed as national security risks.
What actions has the US taken against Cuba recently?
The US has indicted former President Raul Castro and increased military presence in the Caribbean, alongside implementing a fuel blockade affecting Cuba's economy.
Who is leading the US's stance on Cuba's national security threat?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is a key figure in the US's approach to Cuba, emphasizing the national security threat posed by the island's connections to US adversaries.
What is the US's preferred approach to dealing with Cuba?
While the US prefers a negotiated agreement, Secretary Rubio indicated that the likelihood of successful diplomacy with Cuba is low.
