The Story Is Cuba next?
11 snips
Mar 16, 2026 Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor at The Times who reported from Cuba, and Matthew Campbell, Foreign Features Editor at The Sunday Times who reported on the ground, discuss life under fuel and medicine shortages. They describe blackouts, empty pharmacies, dollar divides and fears of US action. They trace historical US-Cuba tensions and consider what diplomatic or coercive options might mean for ordinary Cubans.
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Venezuela Oil Cut Choked Cuba's Economy
- The US seizure of Nicolás Maduro in January cut Venezuela's oil flow to Cuba, causing aviation fuel shortages and flight cancellations.
- Campbell notes Air France and Air Canada cancelled flights and tourism revenues sharply fell, worsening Cuba's hard-currency crisis.
Trump Rhetoric Creates Strategic Uncertainty
- Donald Trump publicly signals Cuba is 'next', alternating threats of regime change with hints of deals, creating deep uncertainty on the island.
- Campbell says this rhetoric has Cubans watching Iran and worrying about possible US moves or negotiated concessions.
Opaque Talks Reveal Competing Priorities
- Talks between Cuban and US officials are occurring but vague; Cuba likely wants lifting of the US embargo while the US wants market-style reforms.
- Díaz-Canel confirmed 'conversations' without detail, leaving leverage and demands unclear.