Cuban activist to Trump: ‘Make Cuba great again’ by ending communist rule

Cuban activist Rosa María Payá is urging the U.S. to maintain pressure on Cuba's communist government amidst worsening blackouts, food shortages, and protests. Payá appealed to former President Trump, stating that Cuba needs an end to the communist dictatorship to become great again. Cuba is experiencing an energy and economic crisis, exacerbated by fuel shortages after the Trump administration curtailed oil shipments, particularly from Venezuela. Cuban officials blame U.S. sanctions for the country's economic difficulties and energy instability. The Trump administration has increased pressure on Cuba by tightening sanctions and targeting oil shipments to weaken the government and support democratic change.

In March 2026, US President Donald Trump threatened Cuba with a potential "friendly takeover" amid the island nation's energy and economic crisis. Trump stated that the US Department of State, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is focused on Cuba, suggesting the country is facing economic collapse and is ready to negotiate with Washington. The crisis in Cuba was triggered in January when the US halted fuel exports from Venezuela, a key ally and oil source for Cuba. While Trump claims Cuba is ready to make a deal with the US, Cuba has denied reports of high-level talks but has not outright denied informal talks. The US threat comes as the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its second week.

The Cuban government announced a fifth death resulting from a February 26th shootout with a Florida-flagged speedboat near Cayo Falcones. Cuban authorities claim the boat, carrying 10 people, opened fire on Cuban soldiers. Cuba alleges the passengers were armed Cuban-Americans intending to infiltrate the island and commit acts of terrorism. Authorities have filed terrorism charges against six suspects and presented evidence including weapons and ammunition allegedly found on the boat. The Cuban Interior Ministry stated that investigations are ongoing and suggest the involvement of other individuals based in the United States. The remaining injured detainees are reportedly receiving specialized medical care.

Cuban prosecutors have charged six Cuban exiles with terrorism following a deadly speedboat attack. The defendants, based in the United States, are accused of traveling to Cuba with the intent to destabilize the Communist government. The incident involved a US-flagged speedboat and a shootout with the Cuban coast guard. The Cuban government alleges the individuals were armed and planned to attack military units on the island. The charges stem from an event that occurred last week.

Donald Trump's administration may be shifting its focus to Cuba following recent actions regarding Iran. The US President has suggested a potential change in the Cuban regime, stating the island is "ready to fall." These comments, made during a White House event with Inter Miami CF, indicate a possible shift in US policy towards Cuba. The BBC is exploring Trump's recent statements to determine if his administration is planning to target Cuba next. The reasons behind this potential shift and the specific actions the US might take remain unclear.

US President Donald Trump stated that Cuba is likely to "fall pretty soon" during an interview with CNN. He made this comment a day after mentioning a potential project for Cuba after the war against Iran. Trump's comments were seen as a renewed threat to the communist-ruled island, which has been facing a US energy blockade. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will reportedly be Trump's point man on Cuba, given his son's background as a Cuban immigrant and desire for regime change in Havana. The US and Israel recently launched attacks on Iran that killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading some to speculate that Cuba could be next on Trump's list of foreign interventions.

Cuba closed its embassy in Quito, Ecuador, after the Ecuadorian government, led by President Daniel Noboa, expelled all Cuban diplomatic and consular personnel, declaring them persona non grata and granting them 48 hours to leave the country. The expulsion, which occurred on Wednesday, prompted strong criticism from the Cuban government, which described the action as unjustified, hostile, and damaging to the historic relations between the two nations. Ecuador did not provide an explanation for the expulsion. The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the embassy ceased operations on Friday at 10 am local time. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel expressed regret over the decision but affirmed Cuba's continued support for the Ecuadorian people.

Cuban border guards shot and killed four people aboard a US-registered speedboat in Cuban waters on Wednesday. According to Cuba's government, the incident occurred near Cayo Falcones after the speedboat's occupants allegedly opened fire on a Cuban coast guard vessel that approached them for identification, wounding the commander. Six other passengers on the speedboat were wounded and received medical assistance. The nationalities and purpose of those on board the Florida-registered vessel are currently unknown, and Cuba has launched an investigation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US is gathering facts and will make determinations based on its findings. The incident occurs amid heightened tensions between the US and Cuba.

Cuban authorities reported that a speedboat carrying 10 men from the United States attempted to destabilize the Cuban government. The incident occurred this week when the boat was intercepted by Cuban border agents, resulting in a shootout that killed four of the men. The six surviving crew members are receiving medical treatment, as is at least one Cuban officer. According to CBS News, at least one of the deceased was a U.S. citizen. Cuban officials defended their response, stating the speedboat passengers initiated the gunfire. An associate of one of the deceased men claimed he sought to overthrow the Cuban government, amidst heightened tensions between Cuba and the U.S.

According to the Cuban government, a speedboat carrying ten people approached Cuba's north shore on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, and opened fire on Cuban soldiers. Cuban troops returned fire, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. The six surviving occupants of the speedboat were detained following the encounter. The incident has drawn attention to Cubans living in the U.S. who still hope for a counter-revolution. The event occurred 67 years after a guerrilla.

Donald Trump suggested the possibility of a "friendly takeover" of Cuba amid heightened tensions between the US and Cuba. Trump stated that the Cuban government is in trouble and engaging in discussions with the US. These comments follow reports of US officials meeting with Raúl Castro's grandson and increased pressure on Cuba after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The US has been tightening its grip on Cuba by imposing an oil blockade on the island, strangling what was left of the island’s already parlous economy. Trump alluded to the Cuban exile community in the US, suggesting a takeover of the island could be “something good ... very positive” for them. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has previously stated that any discussions must respect Cuba's sovereignty and independence.

In February 2026, President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. is in talks with Cuba, suggesting a possible "friendly takeover" of the island nation. Speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C., Trump mentioned that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is engaged in high-level discussions with Cuban leaders. Trump characterized Cuba as a "failed nation" seeking U.S. assistance, citing their current economic struggles. These remarks followed a recent incident where a boat carrying armed Cubans from the U.S. allegedly opened fire on Cuban soldiers off the island's coast, resulting in casualties on both sides. The White House did not provide further clarification on the President's comments.

In February 2026, US President Donald Trump stated that the United States is in discussions with the Cuban government regarding a potential "friendly takeover" of Cuba. This statement comes as Cuba faces a significant energy crisis. The energy shortage is reportedly a consequence of a US-imposed fuel blockade. The discussions and potential takeover are occurring in the context of this existing pressure on Cuba's energy resources. The US government has not released further details about the nature of these talks or the specific conditions under which a takeover might occur.

Cuban border guards killed four gunmen and wounded six others on a US-registered speedboat off the coast of Villa Clara province on Tuesday. According to the Cuban Interior Ministry, one border guard was injured during the exchange of gunfire. The nationality of the gunmen is currently unspecified. The incident occurred in a militarized area commonly used for both Cuban migration to the US and people smuggling. This clash occurs amidst heightened tensions between the US and Cuba, exacerbated by an ongoing oil embargo and humanitarian crisis. The Cuban government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its territorial waters and national sovereignty. The incident evokes memories of past conflicts, including the 1996 downing of Brothers to the Rescue planes, which further strained US-Cuban relations.

A U.S. official confirmed that at least one American citizen was killed and another injured when Cuban border guards intercepted a speedboat near Cuba's northern coast on Wednesday. The incident resulted in four deaths and six injuries. Cuban authorities allege the individuals on the Florida-registered boat were planning a terrorist infiltration and initiated the gunfire. The boat's owner claims it was stolen. Cuban officials initially stated all ten individuals were Cuban nationals residing in the U.S., but later identified an eleventh person arrested who confessed to involvement in the alleged plot. Cuban authorities recovered weapons and tactical gear from the speedboat and stated that most of those involved had prior criminal records.

A speedboat incident in Cuba has sparked controversy due to conflicting accounts. The Cuban government alleges an armed raid occurred on its territory. However, this version of events is being challenged after one of the individuals identified as being involved in the supposed attack appeared in Miami. The presence of this man in Miami raises doubts about the Cuban government's narrative of the incident. The details surrounding the event, including the motivations and exact sequence of events, remain unclear. The discrepancy between the Cuban government's claims and the man's location has led to increased scrutiny and unanswered questions.