Washington– The United States began to intensify pressure on communist-controlled Cuba after military action in Venezuela early this year led to Cuba’s arrest. President Nicolas Maduro.
The Ministry of Justice is preparing to search Indictment Former Cuban leader Raul Castro. A grand jury must approve a criminal charge against Castro, which could escalate tensions with Havana.
This comes amid escalating tensions this year between the administration of President Donald Trump and the Cuban government. Meanwhile, the United States is in the midst of an uneasy ceasefire in the US war against Iran.
Here’s a closer look at developments throughout the year between Cuba and the United States
A A day after the operation In Venezuela, which arrested Maduro, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio declared that the Cuban government was “in a lot of trouble,” as the president renewed calls for the United States to seize Danish territory of Greenland.
Trump Fired warning to Government of Cuba as A close ally of Venezuela Get ready for Possible disturbances after Maduro It was taken off. Trump called on the Cuban government to “reach an agreement before it is too late.”
president of cuba, Miguel Diaz-CanelHe replied: “Those who turn everything into trade, even human lives, have no moral authority to point the finger at Cuba in any way, in any way.”
Trump He signed an executive order Imposing a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba is a move that could do just that More shell island.
One day before the start of the war in Iran. TrumpHe said The United States was in talks with Havana and raised the possibility of a “friendly takeover of Cuba,” although he did not provide any details.
Trump said Rubio was holding talks with Cuban leaders “at a very high level.”
Trump did not clarify his comments, but he seemed to indicate that the situation with Cuba, one of Washington’s staunchest enemies for decades, is approaching a critical point.
Raul Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Castro’s grandson known as “Raolito”, He secretly met with Rubio On the sidelines of the Caribbean Community summit in St. Kitts in February.
Diaz-CanelHe said Cuba and the United States held talks, the first time an agreement had been reached Caribbean country It confirmed widespread speculation about discussions with the Trump administration amid the energy crisis.
He said that the talks “were aimed at finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences between our two countries. International factors facilitated these exchanges.”
He is punished Russian oil tanker arrives in CubaThis is the first time in three months that fuel has reached the island.
Diaz-Canel He said He will not resign.
Diaz-Canel He said in an interview that he would not step down and that the United States had no valid reason to launch a military attack on the island or to try to overthrow him.
talk in interview On NBC’s “Meet the Press” program, the president said that invading Cuba would be costly and would affect regional security.
Diaz-Canel to talk During a march Which attracted hundreds of people to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Declaration of the Socialist Essence of the Cuban Revolution.
“This moment is extremely difficult and calls upon us once again, as it did on April 16, 1961, to be prepared to confront serious threats, including military aggression,” Díaz-Canel said. “We do not want that, but it is our duty to prepare to avoid it and, if it becomes inevitable, to defeat it.”
News emerged that an American The delegation met recently With Cuban government officials, on the occasion of A Renewed diplomatic efforts. This was at least the third meeting with Rodriguez Castro.
A senior State Department official met with Rodriguez Castro earlier this month, according to a department official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue.
The official did not say who from the United States met with Rodriguez Castro, whose grandfather is believed to play an influential role in the Cuban government despite not holding an official position. A second US official said that Rubio was not part of the delegation that visited Havana.
A Cuban diplomat speaks at the United Nations He said Havana will not abide by any American “ultimatums” to release political prisoners Part of the new conversations.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Cuban Ambassador to the United Nations Ernesto Soberon Guzmán said that internal issues related to the detainees “are not on the negotiating table.” The release of political prisoners has been a major demand of the United States as long-time adversaries Discussions were held in Cuba for the first time in a decade.
Republicans in the Senate Rejected legislation Of the Democrats that would have required it Trump To end the American energy blockade Cuba Unless he obtains approval from Congress.
The vote on the war powers resolution showed how Republicans continue to stand behind Trump as he acts unilaterally Exercising American power In a range of global conflicts, including Venezuela, Iran and Cuba – one of the US’s closest neighbours.
American officials say The United States was not looking forward to imminent military action against Havana, despite Trump’s repeated statements Threats that “Cuba is next” And that American warships deployed in the Middle East for the Iranian conflict could return via the island.
Officials involved in Preliminary talks with Cuban authorities They also told the AP that they were not optimistic that the Communist government would accept an offer for dozens of people Millions of dollars in humanitarian aidTwo years of free access to Starlink Internet for all Cubans, Agricultural assistance Infrastructure support.
But they say Cuba has not yet outright rejected the offer that comes with it Conditions that the government has long resistedEven after the Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Havana.
American and Cuban officials He said CIA Director John Ratcliffe He met with Cuban officials, including Raul Castro’s grandson, during a high-level visit to the island.
Ratcliffe met with Rodriguez Castro, Interior Minister Lazaro Alvarez Casas, and the head of the Cuban intelligence services, and they discussed intelligence cooperation, economic stability, and security issues. A CIA official confirmed these meetings to the Associated Press.
Ministry of Justice Getting ready To obtain an indictment against Castro, Three people know about it He told the Associated Press.
One of the people said the potential indictment is linked to Castro’s alleged role in shooting down four planes operated by the Miami-based Brotherhood of Rescue group in exile. Castro was Minister of Defense at the time.
The three people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation. The Cuban government did not respond to a request for comment on the possible indictment, which was reported earlier by CBS.