US President Donald Trump said a Cuba operation similar to the Venezuela mission is “possible”, though his administration continues to publicly favour a peaceful transition in Havana.

Fresh remarks by US President Donald Trump have reignited speculation about Washington's long-term strategy towards Cuba after he suggested that a Venezuela-style operation on the island remains a possibility.

In an interview with The Axios Show, Trump was asked whether a potential US operation in Cuba could resemble the mission carried out earlier this year in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Responding to the question, Trump said such a scenario was "possible." 

The comments have drawn attention because they come amid increasing pressure by the Trump administration on Havana through sanctions and diplomatic measures, even as officials publicly maintain that they prefer a peaceful political transition. 

Cuba Compared To Venezuela

During the interview, Trump contrasted Cuba with other foreign policy challenges, arguing that the island's proximity to the United States would make any operation logistically easier than actions undertaken farther away.

He also described Cuba as possessing "nice property" and a "nice shoreline," while noting that the island sits only about 90 miles from the coast of Florida. 

Although Trump did not announce any military plans or timelines, his remarks have fuelled discussion about whether Washington could pursue more aggressive options if conditions inside Cuba deteriorate further.

No Official Intervention Plan

Despite the rhetoric, there is currently no official announcement of a US military intervention in Cuba.

Reports indicate that US officials have conducted contingency planning and scenario exercises in the event of instability or a potential collapse of Cuba's government. However, administration officials have repeatedly stated that sanctions and diplomatic pressure remain their preferred tools. 

According to Axios, the administration has developed response plans while continuing to emphasise a peaceful transition rather than direct military action. 

Economic Crisis Deepens

The discussion comes as Cuba faces one of its most severe economic crises in decades.

The island has been grappling with fuel shortages, food scarcity, recurring power outages and a shortage of foreign currency. The decline in subsidised oil supplies from Venezuela, coupled with the slow recovery of tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, has added to the country's difficulties. 

These challenges have contributed to increased migration and growing public frustration. In recent years, Cuba witnessed rare large-scale protests as citizens expressed concerns over worsening living conditions.

Long History Of Tensions

Relations between the United States and Cuba have remained strained for more than six decades.

Following the 1959 Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro, Havana aligned closely with the Soviet Union, turning the island into a major Cold War flashpoint. The rivalry culminated in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, one of the most dangerous confrontations of the nuclear era.

Since then, successive US administrations have imposed sanctions and maintained varying degrees of political and economic pressure on Cuba.

What Happens Next

Analysts caution that Trump's comments alone do not indicate an imminent operation. While administration officials have acknowledged planning for various contingencies, public policy continues to focus on economic pressure and diplomatic measures. 

Nevertheless, the president's remarks have ensured that Cuba remains firmly on Washington's strategic radar. With the island confronting economic hardship and the United States increasing scrutiny of developments in the Caribbean, questions about the future of US-Cuba relations are likely to persist in the months ahead.

US Captured Venezuela’s President: A Shock That Reshaped Latin American Politics

In a development that has stunned the world, US President Donald Trump has claimed that the US captured Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during a covert military operation in Caracas. Announced just hours after airstrikes rocked multiple Venezuelan cities, the statement has triggered global debate over sovereignty, international law, and the future of Venezuela’s leadership.

If confirmed, this would mark one of the most dramatic regime-changing actions in modern geopolitics.

How Did the US Capture Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro?

According to Trump’s statement on the social media platform Truth, the operation unfolded on the night of January 2, when US forces launched coordinated strikes across Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.

Key details emerging so far include:

• Airstrikes on seven Venezuelan military installations

• Use of low-flying aircraft and elite US special forces

• Zero reported American casualties

• Alleged extraction of Maduro and his wife out of Venezuela

Venezuela’s Defence Minister confirmed the attacks but strongly condemned them, while Colombia and other regional actors have urged investigations by the UN and OAS. Trump has called the mission a “brilliantly executed operation,” with full details promised at a press briefing in Florida.

Why Did Trump Target Maduro Now?

The roots of US–Venezuela tensions run deep. The US has long labeled Maduro a dictator, accusing his regime of:

• Election rigging

• Human rights abuses

• Links to international drug trafficking

Trump has repeatedly framed his Venezuela strategy around two goals: dismantling drug cartels and removing Maduro from power. In recent months, the US significantly expanded its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying nearly 15,000 troops and a full aircraft carrier strike group.

Experts argue that Venezuela’s vast oil reserves — the largest in the world — remain a central factor behind Washington’s aggressive posture.

Who Will Control Power in Venezuela Next?

With Maduro allegedly in US custody, attention has turned to Venezuela’s power transition. Constitutionally, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez should assume interim control. However, opposition leader María Corina Machado, a long-time US ally and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is widely seen as Washington’s preferred face of change.

Machado has openly welcomed US action, calling it necessary to restore democracy. Analysts believe the US may push for:

• A transitional government

• Fresh internationally monitored elections

• Opposition leader Edmundo González as interim president

Maduro, meanwhile, faces the prospect of a long trial in the US on terrorism and narcotics charges.

What Does the US Gain From Controlling Venezuela?

Venezuela holds over 300 billion barrels of oil, much of it currently exported to China. A leadership change could:

• Open Venezuela’s oil sector to US companies like Chevron

• Reduce China’s influence in Latin America

• Increase global oil supply, lowering prices

Beyond oil, Washington also sees strategic value in curbing migration routes and limiting Russian, Iranian, and Chinese presence in the region.

Will This Lead to a Wider War?

Most analysts believe a full-scale war is unlikely. Venezuela lacks the military capacity to confront the US directly, and its allies appear reluctant to escalate. Russia and China have condemned the strikes but are expected to limit their response to diplomatic pressure.

Why This Matters Right Now

The claim that the US captured Venezuela’s President marks a turning point in global power politics. If validated, it could redefine how regime change is pursued in the 21st century — not through prolonged wars, but swift, targeted interventions with massive geopolitical consequences.

The world is now watching closely: what Washington does next may reshape not just Venezuela, but the balance of power across Latin America and beyond.