Washington Post's Editorial Board Says 'Cuba Looks Ready To Implode,' Says Its President Should Find Asylum In Iran Or Russia

The Washington Post's editorial board highlighted the Trump administration's pressure on the Cuban regime, claiming that the strategy is working and could be used to lead to regime change in the island.

The board noted in a piece that President Donald Trump has "effectively created a blockade that has brought the regime to its knees." In fact, the regime said it is set to run out of fuel for airplanes on Monday, with shortages expected to continue for a month. All international airports are being affected.

The country has also begun closing tourism resorts, one of its last remaining lifelines. Bloomberg reported during the weekend that at least two large beach resorts were closing due to gasoline shortages. One said the resort is shutting down because there is no fuel for employees to get to work. Guests were relocated to another resort 30 miles away.

In this context, the WaPo's board said that the Trump administration would be "unwise to settle for anything less than dramatic change on America's terms: economic, personal and political freedom for all Cubans."

It went on to say that if President Miguel Diaz-Canel "wants to avoid the fate" of Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro, who was captured on January 3 by U.S. forces, "maybe it's time to look into seeking asylum from Iran or Russia, two countries that have propped up his government for far too long."

A recent article from Spanish outlet ABC Internacional detailed that the regime has begun negotiating with the U.S. opening up its economy in exchange for not getting overthrown. It added that talks are being led by Alejandro Castro Espin, son of Raul and Nephew of Fidel. He is said to be engaging with the CIA in Mexico.

The outlet added the Trump administration could begin ending its blockade on the island in exchange for Cuba allowing the entry of U.S. companies to strategic sectors such as energy, tourism, banking and telecommunications.

In contrast, a negative could lead the U.S. to consider Cuba an accomplice of Venezuela's former authoritarian President President Nicolas Maduro, who has been accused of narcoterrorism, and conduct military operations in the island.

Another report from the outlet claimed that the Trump administration won't offer amnesty to top Cuban officials as it negotiates the future of the beleaguered Caribbean country.

The central figure, it added, is Raul Castro, brother of Fidel and leader of the regime for years. He has been sanctioned by the U.S. since 2019 and could be accused of being an accomplice of Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela's former president who was captured by U.S. forces in early January.

• NYT, WaPo Reportedly Learned About Imminent U.S. Raid To Capture Maduro But Held Off Publishing To Not Endanger Troops
• Cuba Set To Run Out Of Fuel For Airplanes Due To Shortages From U.S. Pressure

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