The Trump administration has outlined its national security strategy, emphasizing a renewed commitment to the Monroe Doctrine, aiming to assert U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere once more.
To demonstrate that this wasn’t just talk, the U.S. began 2026 by forcibly removing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from power.
Maduro marks the first leftist dictator to be ousted this year, but he might not be the only one.
Those close to the situation told The Wall Street Journal that the Trump administration is actively working on plans for precise governmental changes in the region, identifying potential allies within Cuba to help dismantle its communist regime by year’s end.
The initial success in Venezuela seems to have provided valuable insights, as individuals from Maduro’s circle shared crucial intelligence on his routines and locations. According to government officials.
It’s still up for debate whether Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s vice president and now acting president, is that cooperator. Reports suggest she might be willing to collaborate with the Trump administration ahead of a military exit.
A U.S. official informed the Journal that recent dialogues with Cuban exiles and civil society groups have focused on who among the current Cuban leaders might want to enact change and possibly engage in negotiations.
There’s a growing sentiment that, with Cuba’s ongoing economic troubles and a significant ally lost in Venezuela, conditions are favorable for a shift in power.
Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State and son of Cuban immigrants, noted earlier this month that Cuba is definitely on the agenda. “It’s a failing state right now, a very badly failed state. We want to help its people,” he remarked. “If I were in Havana’s government, I’d feel uneasy.”
Recently, Cuba has faced persistent blackouts and has been heavily reliant on Venezuelan oil, accounting for about 70% of its imports. In recent reports, it was noted that interruptions in oil supply could bring the Cuban economy to a complete standstill.
A senior U.S. official confirmed the plan to further undermine Cuba’s regime by limiting its access to Venezuelan oil.
Trump himself remarked: “Cuba has relied on substantial oil and gold from Venezuela for many years.” On January 11, he emphasized, “Cuba will receive no more oil or funds, zero! We highly advise reaching an agreement before it’s too late.”
The State Department highlighted that the U.S. has a clear national interest in seeing Cuba “run efficiently by a democratic government,” rejecting the country’s hosting of adversarial military and intelligence operations.
Rubio pointed out last week that the Cuban regime is “illegitimate.”
