President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio renewed warnings of possible U.S. military action against Cuba on Thursday, as Washington expanded its naval presence in the Caribbean. Trump told reporters that previous presidents had considered intervening on the island for decades, adding that he would likely be the one to act and that he would be happy to do so.
The remarks followed the indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro on charges linked to the 1996 shootdown of civilian aircraft flown by Miami-based exiles, which killed four people including three Americans. Federal prosecutors said Castro ordered the attack. The U.S. military announced that the USS Nimitz carrier strike group had arrived in the Caribbean for maritime exercises with regional partners.
Rubio, whose family emigrated from Cuba, said Havana poses a national security threat because of its ties to China and Russia. He said the administration prefers a peaceful resolution but is doubtful diplomacy will succeed with Cuba’s current government. The Trump administration has also imposed sanctions and maintained a fuel blockade that has contributed to blackouts and shortages on the island.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned this week that Cuba has the right to defend itself against any assault. China urged Washington to de-escalate and stop threatening force. Analysts have compared the administration’s approach to its January operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
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Sources:
https://www.npr.org/sections/news