Trending Now - US Reinstates Traditional Tactics in Cuba Policy Shift
WHO:
Alternet - US President Donald Trump has been fixated on Cuba.
The Conversation - Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel indicated a readiness to negotiate with the Trump administration.
WHAT:
Alternet - The US military has conducted dozens of intelligence-gathering flights off the coast of Cuba in recent weeks, suggesting a prelude to an invasion.
The Conversation - The Cuban government has indicated a readiness to negotiate with the Trump administration on issues such as migration, drug trafficking, and investment openings for Cuban-Americans.
Alternet - Trump has issued threats and imposed additional sanctions on Cuba.
The Conversation - The US military has conducted dozens of intelligence-gathering flights off the coast of Cuba.
The Conversation - Cuba's sovereignty is stated to be non-negotiable.
The Conversation - The US occupation of Cuba ended in 1902, and Cuba formally declared independence with provisions for future US intervention.
WHERE:
Alternet - The events are centered around Cuba and the US.
WHEN:
The Conversation - The US-backed Bay of Pigs invasion occurred 65 years ago.
The Conversation - The Obama administration resumed relations with Cuba in 2014.
WHY:
The Conversation - The US obsession with controlling Cuba has historical roots, with President Theodore Roosevelt expressing extreme frustration with Cuba in 1906, stating, "I am so angry with that infernal little Cuban republic that I would like to wipe its people off the face of the earth."
Alternet - The US obsession with controlling Cuba predates Trump and even the Cold War.
The Conversation - The US has historically sought to control Cuba due to its geographical proximity and perceived need for influence.
HOW:
Alternet - The US has conducted intelligence-gathering flights as a method of monitoring Cuba.
The Conversation - The US has historically attempted to purchase, annex, or control Cuba through various administrations.
(UPDATED May 13, 2026 01:35 UTC)
The US military has recently conducted numerous intelligence-gathering flights off the coast of Cuba, signaling a potential prelude to an invasion. Meanwhile, the Cuban government has expressed a willingness to negotiate with Trump on various issues, including migration, drug trafficking, and investment opportunities for Cuban-Americans. This ongoing tension has deep historical roots, with President Theodore Roosevelt famously voicing his frustration with Cuba back in 1906, stating he would like to "wipe its people off the face of the earth."
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(UPDATED May 12, 2026 23:24 UTC)
President Trump has been fixated on Cuba, issuing threats and imposing additional sanctions while the US military conducts intelligence-gathering flights off its coast. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has expressed a willingness to negotiate with the Trump administration, although he maintains that Cuba's sovereignty is non-negotiable. The US has a long history of attempting to control Cuba, dating back to the end of its occupation in 1902 and fueled by its geographical proximity and perceived need for influence.