Senior officials from the Trump administration have reportedly discussed plans for possible military action against Cuba as the White House increases pressure on Havana and prepares for potential political turmoil on the island.
These talks, shared exclusively by Axios on Thursday, included a recent “tabletop” exercise conducted by U.S. Southern Command, occurring as the administration tightens sanctions aimed at destabilizing Cuba’s communist leadership.
“Everything is on the table, but no invasion is planned or likely to happen soon,” a senior official explained to the outlet.
“When the President gives the order, we’re ready for anything.”
Officials believe that worsening economic conditions, like blackouts and food shortages, combined with rising summer heat, could lead to unrest similar to the anti-government protests seen across the island in 2021.
“It’s going to be hot,” a source mentioned to Axios.
“People won’t have power. Food goes bad without refrigeration. People will get upset. They could take to the streets. And then what happens? I can’t imagine the president sitting by if there’s repression.”
The administration officials noted that President Donald Trump is not in a hurry and wants to “use all the options available,” which is why the strategy seems to involve increasing pressure to weaken Cuba.
“The best way to describe it is ‘accelerationism.’
But we don’t want to completely eliminate the regime just yet. There’s a plan to this. It’s in stages,” one official said.
“We have time.
The regime doesn’t,” another added.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has become a key player in this effort, advocating for sanctions against GAESA, the business group linked to Cuba’s military.
Trump also signed an executive order that imposes secondary sanctions on foreign companies working with this group, causing several international businesses to halt their operations related to Cuba.
Despite the more aggressive stance, some advisers cautioned against extended military involvement.
“The president doesn’t want troops on the ground for more than 48 hours,” one Trump adviser told Axios.
“It could turn into a messy situation.”
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