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The recent message from the President of the United States, Donald Trump, directed at the Cuban regime with a stern recommendation —“make a deal before it's too late”— has generated a torrent of reactions among Cubans both on and off the island.
From calls for dialogue to demands for direct intervention, the Cuban community is experiencing this moment with anticipation and mixed emotions.
The post by CiberCuba Noticias regarding the statements made by the leader, which were released following the complete cutoff of oil supplies from Venezuela to Cuba, received thousands of comments within just a few hours.
Most users celebrated Trump's stance and agreed that the end of the Castro regime seems closer than ever. "This guy has proven that he delivers on what he says", commented a reader, while another stated: "Now, the time for change has come".
The overall tone among Cubans on social media fluctuated between hope and disbelief. "Cuba needs to open up to change so that its people no longer suffer", wrote one user. Others, however, expressed skepticism: "They never listen, they live in a bubble and are not interested in the real country".
Many of the comments expressed explicit support for Trump's message. "That's my president. Let the 67-year nightmare end. Cuba needs to be great again.", posted an exile in Miami.
Other users applauded the hardening of the U.S. discourse and requested that "no negotiations with dictators" take place, while some called for a "strong hand" and compared the situation in Cuba to the recent arrest of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. "This is getting interesting, Trump is delivering on his promises", celebrated another commentator.
However, there were also moderate voices advocating for a peaceful and negotiated solution. “One does not negotiate with communists, but neither with bombs. We must seek a transition without bloodshed”, stated a user, reflecting the shared fear among many regarding a potential military action.
“Wars only bring death and destruction; dialogue must be the way forward”, added another participant in the digital debate.
An important part of internet users emphasized the urgency for the regime itself to take a step towards change. "If they truly care for the people, now is the time to do it peacefully." warned a user from Havana. Another wrote: "The Cuban people are tired, hopeless. If they don't relent now, it will be catastrophic for them later."
Among the most shared messages stood out those calling for freedom, free elections, and the release of political prisoners. “It is time to let the people be free”, insisted several readers. Others, with irony and resignation, stated that “the communists would rather see the people die than lose power”.
Voices of Cubans calling for humanitarian intervention were also heard. "You don’t negotiate with dictators; action is needed," wrote one. "The people cannot be worse off than they already are," added another user.
Many interpreted Trump's message as a serious warning, a prelude to what could be a scenario of forced transition. “The deal will be that they leave peacefully”, summarized one user.
For their part, opposition figures and civil society also reacted to Trump's warning. José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), described the message as “a clear and necessary warning to the criminal regime”.
Meanwhile, the political scientist Manuel Cuesta Morúa urged that the agreement be "with the Cuban people and for the Cubans". In statements to Martí noticias from the capital, the journalist Boris González Arenas noted that "oppressed peoples need external help to liberate themselves."
Meanwhile, intellectuals and analysts pointed out that the situation of the Cuban regime is critical: without Venezuelan oil, with Russia focused on its war in Ukraine, China weary of unpaid debts, and a people exhausted and impoverished. In this context, Trump's message was interpreted by many as the strongest indication so far that the era of Castroism is drawing to a close.
Meanwhile, between faith and fear, thousands of Cubans await. "They need to make a decision, because Trump is no longer here for games", wrote a user in the last minutes of the day. Another summarized it with a mix of hope and warning: "Something has to happen now. The Cuban people need a complete change. Thank you, Trump".
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