ABC News Daily After Iran and Venezuela, is Cuba next for Trump?
Mar 26, 2026
Lillian Guerra, professor of Cuban and Caribbean history at the University of Florida, gives historical context on Cuba today. She discusses risks of imperialistic rhetoric, the humanitarian collapse from energy shortages, the limits of Russian and Chinese aid, and possible U.S. moves toward opening Cuba to investment. She warns about migration, military risks, and how power is consolidated under Díaz-Canel.
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Trump Frames Cuba As A Target Amid Humanitarian Collapse
- Donald Trump repeatedly talks about “taking Cuba” while the island faces a humanitarian collapse from fuel and infrastructure failures.
- Lillian Guerra describes nationwide blackouts, no fuel and collapsing services that make any “takeover” look like imperial conquest rather than liberation.
Longstanding Trash Problems Worsened By Fuel Shortage
- Havana neighborhoods like Santo Suárez have long faced infrequent trash pickup, sometimes monthly, worsening now with no fuel.
- Guerra recounts trash piling for months in parts of Havana because lack of gas halted collection services.
Russian Oil Shipments Won't Fix Cuba Overnight
- Russia has dispatched oil tankers toward Cuba to relieve a three-month fuel blockade caused by U.S. sanctions and threatened tariffs.
- Guerra notes even if oil arrives it must be refined and distributed on a failing grid, so relief could take weeks to reach people.