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.

Cuba is currently witnessing one of the most severe energy crises in its recent history, with widespread shortages of diesel and oil pushing the country into prolonged blackouts and disrupting daily life across all major sectors. According to the latest reports, the government has officially acknowledged that fuel reserves have been nearly exhausted, triggering an unprecedented breakdown of electricity supply, transportation, and essential public services.

The crisis has hit the island nation at a critical time, exposing long-standing vulnerabilities in its energy infrastructure and external fuel dependence. Major cities, including Havana, are experiencing power outages lasting between 20 to 22 hours a day, leaving citizens with only brief windows of electricity, often limited to one or two hours.

Nationwide Blackouts Deepen Hardship

Electricity cuts have become a daily reality for millions of Cubans. The national power grid has reportedly suffered repeated failures due to the lack of diesel required to operate thermal power plants. In several eastern provinces, entire regions are plunged into darkness for most of the day.

Hospitals, schools, and communication networks are struggling to function under these conditions. Medical facilities are relying heavily on backup generators, which themselves are facing fuel shortages. As a result, critical healthcare services, including emergency care and surgical procedures, are being delayed or disrupted. Residents in Havana and other cities describe life as increasingly unmanageable, with basic household routines such as cooking, refrigeration, and water supply severely affected. The absence of electricity for long durations has also raised concerns about food preservation and public safety.

Transportation and Daily Life Collapse

The fuel shortage has brought Cuba’s transportation system to a near standstill. Public buses and freight trucks are unable to operate due to the lack of diesel, causing major disruptions in the movement of goods and people. Commuters are often left stranded or forced to walk long distances in extreme conditions. Long queues are being reported at petrol stations, where fuel availability is either extremely limited or completely unavailable. In many regions, fuel pumps have shut down entirely, further worsening the crisis.

The shortage is also affecting supply chains for essential goods, including food and medicine. Markets are experiencing delays in delivery, leading to rising prices and scarcity of basic commodities. The agricultural sector, which depends on fuel for irrigation and transport, is also under pressure, raising concerns about future food shortages.

Public Anger and Street Protests

As living conditions deteriorate, public frustration is visibly increasing. Reports from Havana and other cities indicate that citizens have begun organizing small-scale protests against the ongoing power cuts. People have been seen banging pots and pans, lighting fires in streets, and chanting slogans demanding the restoration of electricity. The protests reflect growing anger over the government’s inability to stabilize the energy supply. While demonstrations remain largely localized, the frequency of such incidents has increased in recent weeks, signaling rising social tension. Authorities have attempted to manage unrest through appeals for calm, but the worsening situation continues to fuel dissatisfaction among residents who are struggling with daily survival.

Public Health and Sanitation Concerns Rise

The fuel crisis has also triggered a parallel public health emergency. With garbage collection vehicles unable to operate due to diesel shortages, waste is accumulating in urban areas. This has led to rising concerns about hygiene, pest infestations, and the potential spread of disease. Experts warn that prolonged sanitation breakdowns could create conditions for outbreaks of infectious diseases, particularly in densely populated neighborhoods. Combined with limited healthcare capacity during blackouts, the situation is becoming increasingly precarious. Water supply systems, which depend on electricity for pumping and distribution, are also facing interruptions. This has further compounded hygiene-related challenges, especially in poorer communities.

Causes Behind the Crisis

The Cuban government has attributed the crisis to a combination of external economic pressures and disrupted fuel imports. Officials have pointed to the long-standing United States blockade as a major factor limiting access to international fuel markets and financial systems. In addition, key supply routes have been disrupted over recent months. Oil shipments from Venezuela, once a major supplier to Cuba, reportedly stopped earlier in 2026. Mexico has also reduced or halted fuel exports amid external pressures, while temporary relief shipments from Russia have already been exhausted. These supply disruptions have left Cuba heavily exposed, with minimal strategic reserves to cushion the impact of global energy fluctuations. The country’s dependence on imported fuel has made it particularly vulnerable to geopolitical and economic shifts.

Growing Uncertainty Ahead

Energy experts warn that unless new fuel sources are secured quickly, Cuba may continue to face prolonged outages in the coming weeks. The lack of stable electricity is expected to further slow economic activity, deepen inflationary pressures, and increase social unrest. The government is reportedly exploring emergency arrangements with friendly nations, but no immediate solution has been confirmed. Meanwhile, citizens continue to adapt to an increasingly difficult daily routine defined by darkness, transport shortages, and uncertainty.

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