The President's Daily Brief January 23rd, 2026: Inside the White House Plan to Topple Cuba’s Communist Government & Sanctions Enforcement Escalates
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Jan 23, 2026 Delve into the White House's ambitious plan to topple Cuba’s communist regime, banking on defections from key insiders. Meanwhile, President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy meet in Davos, navigating the complexities around security guarantees and territorial disputes. On another front, France's navy intercepts a tanker linked to Russia's covert operations in the Mediterranean. The stark situation in Iran is highlighted as a young soldier faces execution for refusing to fire on protesters amidst turmoil.
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White House Seeks Insider Exit In Cuba
- The White House is pursuing regime change in Cuba by courting insiders rather than using a traditional invasion.
- Officials view Venezuela's targeted removal of Maduro as a proof of concept but warn Cuba's single-party system is far more resilient.
Venezuela Operation Relied On Regime Cooperators
- U.S. planners relied on Venezuelan insiders who would manage the aftermath and prevent collapse in that operation.
- That assurance eased hardliners' fears and allowed a targeted operation that preserved state function.
Cuba's Energy Fragility Creates Risky Opportunity
- Cuba's dependence on Venezuelan oil and collapsing economy create a rare vulnerability Washington hopes to exploit.
- But collapse risks severe humanitarian and migration crises just 90 miles from Florida, complicating any plan.