U.S. suppliers have shipped tens of thousands of barrels of oil to Cuba's private sector as the Trump administration continues to pressure the Havana regime, according to a new report.
Reuters detailed that some 30,000 barrels of fuel have made their way to the island while the Trump administration continues to prevent the regime from getting fuel, pushing the public sector to the brink of collapse.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that authorizing the mentioned exports is part of a policy "entirely designed to put the private sector and individual private Cubans – not affiliated with the government, not affiliated with the military, in a privileged position." While the figure is small, volumes are growing by the week, the outlet added.
Another report detailed that the administration is discussing whether rich Republican donors with Cuban heritage could play a role in an eventual transition if the Havana regime is ousted.
"Regime change is lined up," a Trump official told The Atlantic. However, the outlet cautioned that any such scenario will likely resemble what has taken place in Venezuela since the beginning of the year, where the administration installed then-Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who has taken a friendly approach towards the administration.
Officials added that a projected outcome would see President Donald Trump declare victory and create conditions for the U.S. to do business in the island while avoiding conflict with the current regime, a scenario that could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.
According to Cuban authorities, the country has not received foreign fuel supplies for three months and currently produces only about 40% of the energy it needs.
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío said over the weekend that the government is preparing for potential escalation following recent U.S. rhetoric, though he noted such scenarios are not considered likely. "We would be naive if we do not prepare," he said.
However, The commander of the U.S. Southern Command, Francis Donovan, told lawmakers last week that the army is not making preparations for a forceful takeover of the island.
Asked if his forces conducted drills simulating such a scenario, Donovan said no. He also said he was not aware of any plans from the Trump administration to support Cuban groups in exile to topple the Havana regime.
He noted that the U.S. would only deploy troops in the island in case there was a "threat to the security" of the U.S. embassy or its base in Guantanamo Bay and would aim to "defend Americans."
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