Trump Growing Increasingly Frustrated the Cuban Government Hasn't Crumbled Under US Pressure: Report

"Associated Press President Donald Trump has grown increasingly frustrated that the Cuban government hasn't crumbled under U.S. pressure, and is considering taking military action to topple the communist regime, NBC News reported Monday. U.S. officials have told Trump that the regime, led by Miguel Diaz-Canel, could still fall by the end of the year without military intervention, but the president isn't willing to wait that long, according to NBC News White House reporter Katherine Doyle."

"Trump's hurried timeline has prompted the Pentagon to ramp up planning for possible military action against the island nation, Doyle reported. Doyle wrote that when asked for comment, the White House pointed to Secretary [Marco] Rubio's remarks that the Cuban regime had rejected $100 million in humanitarian aid offered by the U.S. She added that In separate comments last week, Rubio called it an unacceptable status quo' that the U.S. has, '90 miles from our shores, a failed state that also happens to be friendly territory for some of our adversaries.'"

"The Trump administration has tried to force regime change through a maximum pressure campaign that included restricted oil shipments and increased sanctions, but Diaz-Canel has held fast despite the resulting fuel shortages and power blackouts. Cuba has an economy that doesn't work and a political and governmental system that can't fix it. So they have to change dramatically, Rubio said in March. They've got some big decisions to make over there."

Trump has become increasingly frustrated that Cuba’s communist government has not collapsed under sustained U.S. pressure. U.S. officials say the regime led by Miguel Diaz-Canel could fall by the end of the year without military intervention, but Trump is unwilling to wait. The Pentagon has increased planning for possible military action against Cuba. The White House response points to Secretary Marco Rubio’s remarks that Cuba rejected $100 million in humanitarian aid and that the U.S. faces an unacceptable status quo with a failed state 90 miles from its shores. The administration has pursued maximum pressure, including restricted oil shipments and increased sanctions, but Diaz-Canel has remained in power despite fuel shortages and power blackouts.

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