United States considering military options in Cuba, but diplomacy is currently prioritized

(Patria) - The White House is considering a military operation in Cuba for a complete regime change, but the emphasis currently remains on diplomatic solutions, Politico reported, citing its own sources in the Donald Trump administration, TASS reported.

According to these sources, Washington has urged Havana to implement economic reforms, including the privatization of state-owned enterprises, allowing for greater foreign investment, providing better internet access to Cuban citizens, and obligating Cubans to purchase American energy.

The United States has signaled to Cuba that even if a regime change "may have to wait," some high-ranking Cuban officials will have to step down, the newspaper adds.

On March 5, Trump stated that Washington intends to develop further action against Cuba after the completion of the military operation against Iran.

He had previously claimed multiple times that the Cuban government and economy were close to collapse after the cessation of oil supplies to the island nation from Venezuela under pressure from the United States.

On February 27, Trump said that the United States could "establish friendly control over Cuba."

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated on March 13 that Havana and Washington had held talks that "aimed at finding solutions through dialogue on bilateral differences."

However, the Axios portal reported in February, citing sources, that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was secretly discussing the future of the island with the grandson of Raul Castro, Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro.