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Posted on 01/23/2026 2:45:08 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
“Energy is the chokehold to kill” the Cuban regime, said a person familiar with the discussions.
The Trump administration is weighing new tactics to drive regime change in Cuba, including imposing a total blockade on oil imports to the Caribbean country, three people familiar with the plan said Thursday.
That escalation has been sought by some critics of the Cuban government in the administration and backed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to two of the three people, who were granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive discussions. No decision has been made on whether to approve that move, but it could be among the suite of possible actions presented to President Donald Trump to force the end of Cuba’s communist government, these people added.
Preventing shipments of crude oil to the island would be a step-up from Trump’s statement last week that the U.S. would halt Cuba’s imports of oil from Venezuela, which had been its main crude supplier.
But there are ongoing debates within the administration about whether it is even necessary to go that far, according to all three people. The loss of Venezuelan oil shipments — and the resale of some of those cargoes that Havana used to obtain foreign currency — has already throttled Cuba’s laggard economy. A total blockade of oil imports into Cuba could then spark a humanitarian crisis, a possibility that has led some in the administration to push back against it.
The discussions, however, show the extent to which people inside the Trump administration are considering deposing leaders in Latin America they view as adversaries.
“Energy is the chokehold to kill the regime,” said one person familiar with the plan who was granted anonymity to describe the private discussions. Deposing the country’s ...
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
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Venezuela
Gaza
Ukraine
Cuba
Trump may have another big year.
Would a naval blockade be considered an act of war?
I tend to think the President has the power and duty for defensive actions but offensive actions require the approval of Congress.
Cuba is a basket case. Shortages of everything. Despite the deprivation and hardship there are still people in Cuba who have emotional ties to the communist revolution. Their ability to tolerate the national dilapidation is like a version of the Stockholm Syndrome.
There should be a photo of the silhouette of Trump and RFK,Jr., seated opposite each other, looking thoughtful.
As in the October, 1962 classic with two others.
Cuba has been a pain in our side for 60 years.. enough.
Reclaiming the hemisphere from dictators and despots.
I tend to think that reality is not an episode of “Law and Order”.
Congress is a joke. The House cannot balance a budget and includes Ilhan Omar among its ranks. The Senate is a nest of vipers.
It mat be that the ”Checks and Balances” of old, are now one piston firing in three.
GREAT!
It would be great for Cuba to have a cleansing of their commie tyranny. Is there a reason why now? In another year, maybe. Now? Is something going on we don’t know about?
Only when a President with an (R) suffix does it, just ask JFK.
Cubans might be persuaded/influenced by someone like Marco Rubio (who no doubt has given this a lot of consideration) and/or other prominent people of Cuban heritage to start strongly pushing for change. The Cuban people have to be convinced that the island will be much better off under a free system rather than the permanent misery of communism. There’s a lot of potential in Cuba that could blossom under private ownership. Whatever, we’ll have to cut through decades of propaganda to inspire hope. Best for the people to get behind the drive for their own change and make the necessary sacrifices help earn enduring freedom for themselves. We can offer economic support to incentivize them to Make Cuba Great Again. JMHO
“I tend to think the President has the power and duty for defensive actions but offensive actions require the approval of Congress.”
Did you miss what Trump did to Venezuela?
“There should be a photo of the silhouette of Trump and RFK,Jr., seated opposite each other, looking thoughtful.”
Why Jr.?
“Is something going on we don’t know about?”
************
The deprivation in the country is profoundly terrible. With Venezuela no longer the ‘lifeline’ that it was, and Russia preoccupied with Ukraine, Cuba’s problems are intensifying. The regime’s failures are impossible to hide. Its just a matter of persuading the Cuban people that freedom is the key to their lives and their future.
Cuba still makes some of the best cigars on the planet. That industry seems to be kept separate from the rest of their economy. Not available to be shipped into the U.S. since Trump became President.
People fail to see the bigger picture... Trump’s moves on Venezuela, Greenland and Cuba have a lot more to do with the Ukrainian war than the average bear understands... He’s screwing with Putin’s mind and forcing him to accept peace with the Ukrainian’s. Putin is being cornered and surrender is his only option.
Exactly, enough is enough!
This gambit was used once before with Cuba by a democrat president-checkmate, it was successful. Probably a good idea...
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