Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar stated this Monday that the Donald Trump administration is applying the same strategy of gradual pressure with Cuba that, she claimed, led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. She argued that Washington is giving the Castro family time to peacefully relinquish power and facilitate a "bloodless" transition on the island.
In a video posted on her X account, which features a segment of an interview given to the program Al punto de Univision, the legislator responded to those who ask when political change will come to Cuba and compared the current situation to the process that, according to her, was followed in Venezuela.
"Everyone who stops me and says, 'When will it be for Cuba?' This is the same waiting rhythm we saw in Venezuela, where people would ask me, 'When will it be?' And look, it happened," he stated.
Salazar insisted that the real power in Cuba is not in the hands of Miguel Díaz-Canel, but rather in a small family core led by Raúl Castro.
"They are giving the Castro family, who are just a few, some time because they are truly the ones in power. They need to understand, assimilate, and internalize that the game is over," he stated.
The congresswoman stated that the most advantageous solution for both the leaders and the country would be a negotiated transition that avoids violent conflict.
"The best thing that can happen for them, for the Cuban people, and for the future of the island is that they leave through the back door and enjoy everything they have stolen. That's fine, let them do it. The important thing is to ensure a clean and bloodless transition on that island," he stated.
"It is the same pattern."
During his speech, Salazar stated that the policy promoted by President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio follows the same framework that, he said, was applied against the Venezuelan regime.
"We are giving them time to understand until Trump says: 'We are not giving them any more time,' which is the same thing that happened with Maduro. It's the same pattern," he stated.
Maduro was captured by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026 during an operation authorized by Trump, following months of diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions.
Salazar's statements come on the same day that Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo" and the grandson of Raúl Castro, granted an interview to the American media USA Today, where he expressed his willingness to negotiate directly with the Trump administration.
"If designated, I can negotiate with any representative chosen by the Government of the United States. Given the opportunity, of course with Trump," he stated, although he made it clear that any eventual agreement should preserve, in his opinion, the principles of the Cuban Revolution.
A context of increasing pressure
The congresswoman's statements come amid a tightening of Washington's policy towards Havana.
On May 20, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal indictment against Raúl Castro for the downing of the Brothers to the Rescue aircraft on February 24, 1996, an attack in which four Cuban-Americans lost their lives. The indictment is based, among other evidence, on a recording in which the order is heard: "Take them down in the sea when they appear." The charges carry penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty.
On that same day, Salazar declared from the Capitol that "today marks the beginning of the end for the Castro family".
Since January 2026, the Trump administration has imposed more than 240 sanctions against Cuba, measures that, according to Washington, have reduced the island's energy imports by between 80% and 90%. At the same time, Cuba is experiencing a deep economic and energy crisis, characterized by blackouts lasting up to 25 hours and an estimated GDP contraction of 6.5% for this year.
Despite the uncertain situation, Salazar expressed her conviction that political change will come.
"I have no doubt that this will happen. The dictatorship will not last forever. Cuba will be free," he concluded.
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