Report from Havana as Trump Threatens to "Take" Cuba & Pushes for Ouster of Cuban Leader
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Cuba suffered a complete national electricity grid collapse, the third major blackout in four months, directly attributed to the US energy blockade and lack of fuel shipments.
- ❖Former President Trump publicly asserted his right to 'take' or 'free' Cuba and demanded the removal of Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel, a stance met with widespread outrage in Cuba.
- ❖Despite severe daily hardships, including 12+ hour blackouts, the Cuban population is more focused on immediate survival (food, electricity) and largely rejects US-backed regime change efforts, viewing them as 'starvation tactics.'
Insights
1US Sanctions Cause Widespread Blackouts and Humanitarian Crisis
Cuba experienced a complete national electricity grid collapse, marking the third and largest blackout in four months. This crisis is directly linked to the US energy blockade, which has prevented oil shipments from reaching the island for over three months. The lack of fuel has led to daily power outages lasting 12 hours in Havana and up to 3-5 hours in provinces, severely disrupting daily life and creating a profound humanitarian crisis where sanctions are 'literally killing people.'
Host Amy Goodman states the blackout is 'at least the third and the largest blackout to hit Cuba in just about four months as the US energy blockade has cut off the island from accessing desperately needed fuel. No oil shipments have reached Cuba in more than 3 months.' (, , ). Journalist Danielle Montero adds, 'blackouts have extended significantly over the past few months... at least 12 hours a day. If you go to the provinces... they're getting by with three, four, five hours a day.' (, , ). She later states, 'sanctions are literally killing people right now' ().
2Trump Demands Regime Change and Vows to 'Take' Cuba
Former President Trump publicly declared his intention to 'take' Cuba, stating he could 'do anything I want with it,' and his negotiators informed Cuban counterparts that President Miguel Diaz Canel 'must be removed from power.' This explicit demand for leadership change is seen by Cubans as an outrageous prerequisite for any negotiation and a direct attempt at 'regime change through starvation.'
Amy Goodman reports, 'Trump's negotiators told their Cuban counterparts during recent talks that Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel must be removed from power.' (, ). Trump is quoted saying, 'I do believe I'll be the honor of having the honor of taking Cuba. That's a big honor. Taking Cuba in some form. Yeah. Taking Cuba. I mean, whether I free it, take it, think I could do anything I want with it.' (, ). Danielle Montero calls this 'absolutely outrageous' and states, 'This is regime change through starvation. That is what they're trying to do.' (, ).
3Cuban Population Rejects US Intervention Despite Hardship
Despite the severe hardships caused by sanctions, including daily struggles for food and electricity, the Cuban population largely rejects the US's calls for uprising and regime change. People are more concerned with immediate survival than political upheaval, and there is widespread anger and a commitment to fight back against what is perceived as an external imposition on their sovereignty.
Danielle Montero states, 'I don't see that... the goal that the US is trying to achieve here, which is the majority of the people rising up, that simply hasn't happened.' (, ). She adds, 'people are more concerned with what do I do today? What do I eat tonight? than anything else.' (, ). Professor Sarah Kosame confirms, 'nobody agreed with what Trump was doing. None of them.' (). She further notes, 'multiple people told me with outright anger in their voices that they that they that that they wouldn't allow this something like this that they would fight back.' (, ).
Lessons
- Recognize the direct link between US sanctions and the humanitarian crisis in Cuba, including widespread blackouts and fuel shortages.
- Understand that calls for regime change from external powers like the US are largely rejected by the Cuban population, who view them as an attack on sovereignty rather than a path to liberation.
- Consider the role of international solidarity in providing both material aid and symbolic support to populations affected by geopolitical pressures, as highlighted by the Cuban journalist.
Quotes
"This is regime change through starvation. That is what they're trying to do. And right now with the old blockade, it conditions are worse than they ever have been."
"When you're hungry, your politics are I want food. You know, I think for the majority of people that that that's what they're feeling."
"Nobody nobody agreed with what Trump was doing. None of them."
"I would argue that international solidarity is now more important than ever, especially coming from the United States."
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