Trump Administration Reportedly Seeks Pragmatic Cuban Leader as Pressure on Havana Grows | Ukraine news

Washington’s latest strategy could reshape the balance of power in Havana, but finding a cooperative figure may prove far more difficult than expected.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is looking among current and former Cuban officials for someone who could be persuaded to take over the country’s government as Washington steps up pressure on Havana.

This information has emerged from current and former U.S. officials.

The administration’s plan appears to focus on reshaping Cuba’s regime rather than replacing it entirely.

Context and prospects

The Trump administration has already tasked intelligence agencies with finding someone like Delcy Rodríguez, who became Venezuela’s interim president after U.S. forces detained the country’s previous leader, Nicolás Maduro, in January.

U.S. officials viewed Rodríguez as a pragmatic leader capable of assuming control of the country without major disruption and willing to cooperate closely with the United States.

Some Trump administration officials believe that a similarly pragmatic leader could also be found in Cuba.

At the same time, according to sources familiar with the matter, U.S. intelligence agencies believe Cuba more closely resembles Iran than Venezuela.

According to numerous U.S. officials, there are few pragmatic Cuban officials who would be willing to take power if American forces detained Raúl Castro, Cuba’s former president who still wields enormous political influence, or otherwise pushed the current leadership aside.

A secret CIA Cuba task force was established to carry out a more coordinated campaign aimed at putting pressure on the Cuban government.

A few days ago, the United States imposed sanctions on five Cuban state-owned companies and eight officials involved in arms imports, the development of the military industry, and Cuba’s military cooperation with Russia and China.

Overall, analysts emphasize that discussions about the future of Cuba’s leadership continue to heighten tensions between Washington and Havana.