The President of the United States, Donald Trump, again referred to Cuba as a "failed state" and asserted that his administration is in discussions with "the highest figures in the country" to assess the next steps in the policy towards Havana.
"Cuba is a failed state. It has been for a long time, but now there is no one left to support it," Trump stated this Sunday during an exchange with reporters at his Mar-A-Lago residence.
The leader indicated that "his government is talking to the most important people in Cuba" to "see what happens" in the coming months.
The president also expressed his support for Cuban Americans who were "horribly treated by the communist regime" and articulated his hope that "they can return to the island and do what they need to do."
"Many of them have their families there and have not been able to see them in many, many years," he added.
Trump reiterated that Cuba is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and that his administration "will not tolerate the actions of the Cuban communist regime."
In his opinion, the current situation in the country demonstrates "the total collapse of a failed system," and the United States "will act to protect its national security while supporting the aspirations of the Cuban people."
The statements reinforce the hardline stance of the Trump administration towards the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel and align with the recent executive order declaring a national emergency, deeming that the policies and actions of the Cuban regime pose "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. security.
The Republican leader has tightened economic sanctions against Havana while seeking to cut off oil supplies from the regime's allied countries, such as Mexico and Venezuela.
Analysts in Washington interpret Trump's insistence on labeling Cuba as a "failed state" as part of a strategy to force a political transition on the island under U.S. supervision.
Filed under: