- President Trump escalated pressure on Cuba, openly suggesting the possibility of U.S. military action against the communist island.
- The escalation follows the unsealing of criminal charges against Raúl Castro, accusing him of ordering the 1996 shootdown of civilian planes.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the White House is serious about taking action, citing Cuba's ties with China and Russia as a national security threat, and did not rule out the use of force.
- The Pentagon announced the arrival of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group in the Caribbean, coinciding with the Castro charges, further fueling speculation.
- The administration has also tightened sanctions, imposed an energy blockade, and targeted Cuba's military-run business empire, GAESA, intensifying economic pressure.
IN FULL
