Former President Trump has hinted that there will be a regime change in Cuba if he is re-elected in November.
said the 77-year-old, who is considered a likely Republican candidate. society of truth On Friday, he spoke about the deepening crisis at home as the communist country endures its worst economic and energy crisis, with food shortages and power outages pushing the country to the brink of collapse.
“I want to express my admiration and support for all the brave Cuban people who stood up against this despicable communist regime,” Trump said in a video post. “It’s not easy, but we appreciate it, and that will change.”
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel stands alongside former Cuban President Raul Castro (left) and former President Trump (right). (Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images, left/Joe Raedle/Getty Images, right)
Calls grow for Cuba’s military to stand by the people as protests erupt over energy and food shortages
It added: “Under Cuba’s brutal and corrupt dictator, the Cuban people suffer from severe food shortages, energy blackouts, poverty, political repression, and religious persecution.”
“I want the Cuban people to know that we are watching very closely what’s happening in Santiago, and we’re watching it every minute of the day,” Trump said. “We’re with you.”
The communist regime is under intense pressure as the local economic situation worsens. Miguel Diaz-Canel, 63, became president in 2019, succeeding Raul Castro, 92, who remains the de facto leader of the 65-year-old dictatorship.
Protests have erupted in Cuba over energy and food shortages, with the military siding with the people and calls for an end to the communist regime. In a post on its Facebook page, the U.S. Embassy called on the Cuban government to respect the protests.
The administration has requested assistance from the World Food Program (WFP), including powdered milk.
President Trump went on to say, “Under my administration, we will return to a very strong stance against our oppressors. Unlike crooked Joe Biden, who is very weak against communists, I will I will support the people.”
A woman signals a car with her son on a dark street during a power outage in Bauta, Artemisa region, Cuba, on March 18, 2024. (Yamil Raji/AFP via Getty Images)
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“He is not on their side and he does not care about them. I share your calls for the release of Cuban political prisoners and for the free and fair elections we must hold. ”
“We must hold free and fair elections,” he said. “By the way, our country also has some problems with that.”
“Above all, I share your vision for a safe, prosperous and free Cuba. God bless the Cuban people and God bless the United States.”
In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Cuba’s Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Fernandez de Cossio suggested that food shortages were due to a long-standing U.S. embargo.
He also accused the US of “openly interfering”. [in] The State Department issued a “Cuba Internal Affairs” report after calling on Havana to respect the protesters and “respond to the legitimate needs of the Cuban people.”
Fidel Castro was the former leader of Cuba. (Sven Kreutzmann/Mambo Photography/Getty Images)
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“As we have said publicly, this statement was both cynical and hypocritical because it referred to problems occurring in Cuba, for which the U.S. government is importing and responsible,” de Cossio said. He said the comment was “disrespectful”.
The United States has had a trade and other financial embargo against Cuba, primarily since the early 1960s, but food exports to Cuba are permitted, with certain exceptions, as long as they are used in the private sector rather than the government. has been done.
In January, the State Department reissued a warning for travelers to Cuba to be on high alert due to crimes and violent crimes, including armed robbery and murder.
FOX News’ Caitlin McFall and Bradford Betts contributed to this report.
