Trump Threatens Possible U.S. Takeover of Cuba, Ties Timing to Iran Conflict

Overview

• Trump said Cuba faces serious humanitarian trouble and claimed Havana wants a deal, adding any U.S. move would come after concluding operations against Iran.
• He said Secretary of State Marco Rubio is directing negotiations, and Rubio has called for a “radical” change in Cuba.
• U.S. pressure on fuel supplies has kept tankers from docking since Jan. 9 as tariff threats pushed Mexico and Venezuela to stop shipments.
• The fuel cutoff has triggered prolonged blackouts and disrupted transport, waste collection and health services, while Washington narrowly eased petroleum export rules for humanitarian reasons.
• Cuba said it is not engaged in official high-level talks with the U.S., though reports described informal contacts with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro and linked lost Venezuelan supply to a U.S. operation, which has not been independently confirmed.