Trump administration seeks allies within Cuba’s government

(MENAFN) The United States administration is reportedly turning its attention toward Cuba following recent developments in Venezuela, with officials exploring the possibility of engaging figures within Cuba’s government who could help negotiate an end to the country’s Communist system before the end of the year, according to reports.

US officials assess that Cuba’s economy is approaching a critical breaking point and believe the government is in an unusually weak position after losing key backing from Venezuela. This perceived vulnerability has increased confidence in Washington that pressure could yield results.

While there is no detailed or finalized strategy to dismantle the Cuban system, officials reportedly view the capture of Venezuela’s leadership and the concessions that followed as both an example to emulate and a warning directed at Havana.

“I strongly suggest they make a deal. Before it's too late,” US President Donald Trump wrote in a social media post on Jan. 11, adding that “no more oil or money” would be sent to Cuba.

Officials are said to have held meetings with Cuban exile groups in major US cities to identify individuals inside Cuba’s governing structure who might be open to negotiations. These efforts are aimed at finding internal channels for dialogue rather than pursuing overt confrontation.

According to reports, the operation that led to the capture of Venezuela’s president was assisted by an insider, and a US military operation in Caracas resulted in the deaths of 32 Cuban soldiers and intelligence personnel who were assigned to protect him.

Although Washington has not openly threatened military action against Cuba, officials indicate that the Venezuela operation was intended to demonstrate the potential consequences of defiance.

Intelligence assessments describe Cuba’s economic situation as severe, marked by shortages of basic goods, medicine, and electricity. To further strain the government, US plans reportedly include cutting off remaining Venezuelan oil supplies and targeting Cuba’s overseas medical missions, which represent a major source of foreign revenue.

“Cuba’s rulers are incompetent Marxists who have destroyed their country, and they have had a major setback with the Maduro regime that they are responsible for propping up,” a White House official said, reiterating that Cuba should “make a deal before it’s too late.”

MENAFN22012026000045017281ID1110636014