Trending Now - Cuban Activists Urge Trump to Help End Communist Regime
WHO:
Pedro Quiala Carmenate, a pro-democracy activist from Old Havana, expressed his hope for President Trump to intervene in Cuba.
José Daniel Ferrer, a leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, reported receiving numerous messages from fellow activists on January 3rd, 2026, inquiring about U.S. military intervention in Cuba.
President Trump, Cuban human rights activist Rosa María Payá Acevedo, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Oswaldo Payá (Rosa María Payá's father), Harold Cepero, Nicolás Maduro (Venezuelan President), Cuban government officials.
The "Ladies in White" opposition group, Cuban opposition groups.
WHAT:
Pedro Quiala Carmenate stated, "There’s no food, there’s no electricity and there’s no medical care," highlighting the dire conditions in Cuba.
Ferrer claimed there are more than 1,000 political prisoners currently being held in Cuba.
Monthly wages for a doctor in Cuba are reported to be around $19.
The mass exodus from Cuba has seen over 800,000 people leave each year for the last four years, equating to around 25% of the population.
Rosa María Payá urged the U.S. to maintain pressure on the Cuban government amid a crisis involving blackouts, hunger, and repression.
A nationwide blackout occurred due to a failure at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, Cuba's largest power station.
The Trump administration has tightened sanctions and targeted oil shipments to Cuba.
Payá stated, "To President Trump, it's important for you to know that the Cuban people are grateful for what this administration is doing."
Payá referred to a political roadmap called the "Freedom Accord" for democratic change in Cuba.
Trump mentioned, "Marco Rubio is doing a great job," and praised him as a potential key player in negotiations with Havana.
Trump threatened a "friendly takeover" of Cuba, stating, "They have no energy. They have no money. They are in deep trouble on a humanitarian basis."
WHERE:
Cuba, specifically mentioning Havana and the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant.
Doral, Florida, where Trump made his comments.
WHEN:
The U.S. military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro occurred on January 3rd, 2026.
Pedro Quiala Carmenate spoke during a blackout on March 9th, 2026.
The blackout occurred recently, with specific mention of March 4th, 2026, when a traffic light was out due to a power cut.
Payá's tribute to her father took place on April 17th, 2017.
The largest demonstrations against the regime occurred on July 11th, 2021.
The military operation to depose Nicolás Maduro occurred on January 3rd, 2026.
WHY:
The economic crisis in Cuba is described as worse than during the "Special Period" that began in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The crisis in Cuba is attributed to economic collapse, political repression, and U.S. sanctions.
Payá emphasized the need for international pressure to drive political change in Cuba.
HOW:
The Cuban government has been accused of selling fuel, which it previously received for free, to fund its administration, contributing to the ongoing energy crisis.
The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba and has cut off Havana from Venezuelan oil.
Payá and opposition groups are advocating for a democratic transition through the Freedom Accord.
(UPDATED March 11, 2026 01:24 UTC)
Pedro Quiala Carmenate, a pro-democracy activist from Old Havana, expressed his hope for President Trump to intervene in Cuba, where he highlighted the dire conditions, stating, "There’s no food, there’s no electricity and there’s no medical care." José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, reported receiving numerous messages from fellow activists inquiring about U.S. military intervention, as he noted there are currently more than 1,000 political prisoners in Cuba and that the economic crisis is worse than during the "Special Period" of the 1990s. The mass exodus from Cuba continues, with over 800,000 people leaving each year for the last four years, which amounts to about 25% of the population, as the government faces accusations of selling previously free fuel to fund its administration amidst an ongoing energy crisis.
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(UPDATED March 10, 2026 19:22 UTC)
In a significant development, Rosa María Payá urged the U.S. to maintain pressure on the Cuban government as the country faces a crisis marked by blackouts, hunger, and repression, particularly following a recent nationwide blackout caused by a failure at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant. During a meeting in Doral, Florida, President Trump expressed support for Payá's efforts and praised Marco Rubio's role in negotiations, while also threatening a "friendly takeover" of Cuba due to its dire humanitarian situation. Payá highlighted the need for international pressure to drive political change in Cuba, referencing a political roadmap called the "Freedom Accord" aimed at achieving democracy.