U.S. Not Planning Imminent Military Action Against Cuba

U.S. officials said the country is not preparing for imminent military action against Cuba despite President Donald Trump’s repeated threats that "Cuba is next" and suggestions that American warships returning from the Middle East could stop offshore.

The officials involved in preliminary discussions with Cuban authorities told The Associated Press they are not optimistic the government will accept an offer that includes tens of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid, two years of free Starlink internet access for all Cubans, agricultural assistance and infrastructure support.

The offer comes with conditions that the government has long resisted. Cuban authorities have not yet outright refused the proposal. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private talks, said there is still time for acceptance even after the Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Havana on Thursday.

The Treasury and State departments announced the sanctions after President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week expanding the administration’s authority to impose penalties on Cuba. One official involved in the discussions said the new sanctions authority was intended to make clear that the immediate goal is not regime change but changing the regime’s failed policies.

Cuban officials described the measures as collective punishment. They have stated that negotiations on issues like regime change or removing the president are out of the question and that no internal affairs of Cuba are on the table.

U.S. officials said it remains an open question whether Cuba’s top leadership is willing to meet conditions that include the release of political prisoners, an end to political and religious repression, and an opening to American private sector investment.

Officials added that the door has not closed to dialogue that could help both countries. The United States sees a national security threat in increasing influence on the island by China and Russia, including intelligence and logistics cooperation. Cuban officials are adamant that its internal governance is not up for negotiation and that Havana will not abide by any American ultimatums to release political prisoners.

Officials cautioned that President Donald Trump could change his mind at any time and that military options remain available. Contacts between the Trump administration and Cuba have increased, including a meeting earlier this year in the Caribbean nation of St.

Kitts and Nevis.