“Our preference in Cuba and anywhere in the world is a negotiated diplomatic settlement. ... That’s always our preference.

“There’s no oil blockade on Cuba per se,” he said. “Cuba used to get free oil from Venezuela—used to give them a bunch of free oil. They would take, like, 60 percent of that oil and resell it for cash. It wouldn’t even go to benefit the people.

Western Cuba might experience some strong aftershocks, but they’re unlikely to be felt in Florida, Barnhart said.

Air Canada announced it is suspending its service to Cuba due to a shortage of aviation fuel on the island.

Commentary Cuba has long been a hotbed of human rights abuses. The United States has finally started to take notice. Last month, U.S. Rep.

For decades, Cuba depended on foreign assistance, primarily from the Soviet Union, which provided substantial subsidies until its collapse in 1991. The end of Soviet support led to a prolonged economic crisis in Cuba known as the “Special Period.”

Trump said that "there won't be escalation" between the United States and Cuba, adding, "I don't think there needs to be." "Look, the place is falling apart. It's a mess," Trump added. "They've really lost control of Cuba."

They’ve really lost control of Cuba.”

And so we’re talking ​to Cuba, but we’re going to do Iran before Cuba." He also suggested that Cuba may be the target of a "friendly takeover" before adding that it "may not be a friendly takeover."

"Cuba is not doing well. It's a failed nation, and we'll be talking about ‌Cuba at ⁠the right time," Trump said.

“Cuba also wants to make a deal, and I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we ​have to do,” Trump told reporters on March 15. “And so we’re talking ​to Cuba, but we're going to do Iran before Cuba.”

Cuba has been under communist rule since Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution.

The Maduro capture further isolated Cuba, as Venezuela had been its main oil provider. Trump on Jan. 31 said U.S. officials had begun talks with Cuba, adding that “they need help on a humanitarian basis.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his efforts in Cuba and Venezuela. “What’s happening with Cuba is amazing,” Trump said. A U.S.

The Felton 1 thermoelectric power plant, located in Holguin province in eastern Cuba, remained online, Cuba's energy ministry said. The fuel scarcity has caused the Cuba regime to ration key services, such as trash collection and transportation.

Both cases focus on the 1996 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act, created to pressure Cuba by penalizing companies “trafficking” in property Cuba seized from U.S. interests.

Cuba has historically relied on its ally Venezuela for much of its oil and fuel imports, and U.S. sanctions and pressure on Venezuelan energy exports have contributed to fuel shortages in Cuba.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose family has Cuban roots, has said that the sanctions are necessary and that Cuba poses a national security threat.

On March 25, thousands of Cuban Americans attended a “Free Cuba Rally” in Hialeah, Florida, where the massive crowd chanted throughout the event “Cuba next,” “patria y vida,” and “libertad.”

Trump had dealt a blow to Cuba by capturing allied Venezuelan Leader Nicolás Maduro in early January. Venezuela's socialist regime has close ties to Cuba and was its main oil supplier.

The case focuses on the 1996 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act, created to pressure Cuba by penalizing companies “trafficking” in property that Cuba seized from U.S. interests.

Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel fired back at Washington, criticizing its “almost daily public threats against Cuba.”

On Monday, he said he believes he’ll have the “honor of taking Cuba.” “I mean, whether I free it, take it. I think I could do anything I want with it,” Trump said about Cuba, calling it a “very weakened nation.”

Though Trump recently referred to a potential “takeover” of Cuba, Gen.

Cuba provides China an ideal location to surveil the United States.

Cuba’s late dictator Fidel Castro overthrew the then-government in 1959 and turned Cuba into a one-party state in which socialist policies were implemented, including the nationalization of the assets of foreign businesses operating in Cuba at the time

Mexico has suspended its oil shipments to Cuba. The decision follows threats by the United States to impose tariffs on countries that supply the island nation.

The Cuba-flagged LPG/chemical tanker Pastorita arrives at the port of Havana on Feb. 9, 2026.