The United States renewed threats of possible action against Cuba on Thursday, signaling a focus on replacing the Caribbean island’s communist system.
President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both weighed in on the issue.
Trump told reporters that previous US presidents had considered intervening in Cuba, but “I feel like I’ll be the one to do it.”
However, Trump denied that the deployment of the USS Nimitz and its escort warships to the Caribbean for maritime exercises was intended to intimidate Cuba.
Why doesn’t Rubio see a solution through talks?
Following the same line, Rubio said Washington prefers a diplomatic solution, but warned that the chances of a negotiated solution with Cuba’s communist government are “not high.”
“They won’t be able to wait for us or buy time. We’re very serious, we’re very focused,” he said.
He said Trump “always has the option to do whatever it takes to support and protect the national interest.”
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, has long taken a tough stance against Cuba’s communist leadership.
The Secretary of State described Cuba as a national security threat because of its security and intelligence ties with China and Russia.
America indicted Raul Castro
On Wednesday, the US Justice Department announced the indictment of former Cuban President Raul Castro.
Castro, 94, has been charged for his alleged role in the downing of two civilian US airliners by Cuban Air Force fighter planes in 1996, when he was defense minister.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the indictment as a political stunt intended to justify aggression against the island.
Meanwhile, Rubio also said the US has detained Edis Lastres Moreira, the sister of a senior executive of military-run conglomerate GAESA, after revoking her US green card.
Rubio had previously accused GAESA of being guilty of enriching the country’s elite while ordinary citizens suffered, calling it a “state within a state.”
Experts say this is reminiscent of the Venezuela operation
Many experts see the US’s recent moves against Cuba as a repeat of the same strategy the Trump administration adopted after capturing then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation in early January.
Amid US sanctions, Cubans are facing blackouts lasting up to 20 hours a day and severe water shortages. Rampant inflation has caused prices for basic goods to rise, while garbage has piled up throughout Havana.
Both China and Russia have criticized US actions against Cuba.
Edited by: Sam Dusan Inayatullah