Diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States have reached a complete deadlock, according to a report by Izvestia. Washington imposed a new package of sanctions, despite the fact that Havana proceeded with market-oriented reforms, which the United States itself had previously encouraged. At the same time, according to the report, the US has openly threatened Cuba even with military action.
Regime change scenarios
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the White House is considering radical regime change scenarios, including the arrest of the Cuban president, based on what the article describes as the "Venezuela model." Concurrently, discussions are reportedly taking place in the United States regarding the potential kidnapping of former Cuban leader Raul Castro.
Reports of mass arming of citizens denied
Amid a climate of rising tension, reports circulated claiming that weapons are being distributed en masse to Cuban citizens. However, the Russian ambassador to Cuba, Viktor Koronelli, rejected these claims, characterizing them as misinformation spread by the Venezuelan opposition.
New sanctions threaten the economy
According to the report, the greatest danger of the new American restrictions stems from the imposition of secondary sanctions, which force foreign businesses to choose between cooperating with Cuba and maintaining their access to the US market and the dollar. The blacklisting of logistics manager AUSA is estimated to potentially paralyze customs procedures, leading many shipping companies to avoid Cuban ports. This is a development that, according to analysts, would jeopardize imports of food and medicine, which Cuba urgently needs amid the ongoing energy crisis. Alisa Kazelko, an expert at the Valdai Discussion Club, estimated that these developments could lead the country into a humanitarian crisis, assigning the responsibility to Washington.
Reforms need time
A well-informed source in Havana told Izvestia that the full implementation and adaptation of economic reforms will require a significant amount of time. As stated, due to the sanctions and the economic blockade, Cuba's development path will be slower compared to that of China and Vietnam. "All these laws are currently in the implementation stage. They require extensive discussion, time, and expert evaluation," the source stressed.
Cuba seeks support from Russia
Under these circumstances, Havana seeks to strengthen its cooperation with foreign partners, including Russia, which is also facing Western sanctions. Russian Ambassador Viktor Koronelli told Izvestia that the bilateral Russia–Cuba agenda includes a series of projects in various sectors of the Cuban economy.
"Washington seeks the overthrow of the government"
According to political analyst Igor Pshenichnikov, the Donald Trump administration is not substantially interested in Cuba's economic transformation, but is pursuing the overthrow of the current government. He argued that, beyond the economic blockade, Washington is openly threatening Havana with military action, examining scenarios for the arrest of President Miguel Diaz-Canel and former leader Raul Castro. In his estimation, the White House's threats constitute both a real danger and a means of psychological pressure, aimed at testing the endurance of the Cuban government.
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