Trump Tightens Grip on Cuba with Looming Blockade

Amid tensions in the Middle East, the White House eyes a "friendly takeover" of the island nation.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Trump administration is preparing to tighten its economic stranglehold on Cuba, with plans for a near-total blockade that would cripple the island's access to vital oil imports. While direct military intervention is unlikely due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the White House is exploring options for a "friendly takeover" that would effectively suffocate Cuba's economy and potentially lead to a military coup. This comes as the U.S. continues to block international resolutions to lift the decades-old embargo, which the UN has defined as a form of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Why it matters

Cuba's dependence on oil imports and the crippling impact of the U.S. embargo have left the country in a precarious economic situation, with widespread blackouts and shortages of basic goods. The Trump administration's efforts to further isolate Cuba raise concerns about the humanitarian toll on the Cuban people and the potential for unrest or even violent conflict on the island.

The details

In July 2025, Trump signed a memorandum tightening U.S. policy towards Cuba, including imposing a state of emergency that has disrupted oil supplies from Venezuela, Mexico, and Brazil. With Cuba now 70% dependent on imported oil, the resulting blackouts and fuel shortages have devastated the country's economy. The White House is now exploring options to completely cut off Cuba's access to oil, stopping just short of direct military intervention due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

  • In July 2025, Trump signed a memorandum tightening U.S. policy towards Cuba.
  • Since early February, Trump has imposed a state of emergency, allegedly due to threats to national security from Cubans, threatening additional duties to oil-supplying countries.

The players

Donald Trump

The 47th president of the United States, who is pursuing a policy of economic isolation and potential military intervention in Cuba.

Marco Rubio

A U.S. senator from Florida whose ancestors emigrated from Cuba before the Cuban Revolution, and who has advocated for a hardline approach towards the Cuban government.

Raulito Castro

The grandson of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who has reportedly discussed the possibility of a coup with Marco Rubio in Miami.

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What they’re saying

“Cuba is a real disaster. And it's not just that they are Marxists and terrorists. They are incompetent, and these incompetent people have destroyed the country.”

— Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator from Florida (news-pravda.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's efforts to further isolate Cuba through economic and diplomatic pressure raise serious concerns about the humanitarian toll on the Cuban people and the potential for unrest or even violent conflict on the island. This situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, and the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.