Trump Administration's Cuba Strategy Mirrors Venezuela Approach with Key Differences
The Trump administration is employing a strategy against Cuba that closely resembles its approach to Venezuela, involving oil blockades and military presence. President Trump has issued threats of intervention, similar to those made before the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro. However, experts note significant differences between the two situations. Unlike Venezuela, where a U.S.-approved successor was in place, Cuba lacks an obvious successor who would cooperate with the Trump administration. The U.S. has imposed oil embargoes on both countries, aiming to pressure ruling elites, but the outcomes have varied. In Venezuela, the embargo targeted oil exports to cut off revenue, while in Cuba, it aims to restrict oil imports, exacerbating energy shortages. The U.S. military presence in the Caribbean is smaller compared to the buildup before Maduro's capture, and the indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro is seen as less impactful than charges against Maduro. 
