Cuba in March 2026: the most important developments in politics
In Cuba in March 2026, the dominant political subject was a series of statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about the island. On 5 and 6 March he said a change of government in Cuba was 'a matter of time' and that the island 'will fall pretty soon', while saying his immediate focus remained Iran. On 7 March he said the Cuban government was 'in its last moments of life'. On 16 and 17 March he said he expected to take control of Cuba, that he could do 'anything I want' with it and that it would be a 'great honor'. Reports said U.S. officials had told Cuba that its president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, must step down for negotiations to proceed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that the United States seeks to oust him, and Diaz-Canel vowed 'unbreakable resistance' to any U.S. attempt to control the island. On 30 March the White House said U.S. policy was unchanged after a waiver allowed a Russian oil tanker to dock in Cuba.
Talks ran alongside the rhetoric. On 13 March Cuba confirmed it was holding talks with U.S. officials, and announced it would release 51 prisoners after negotiations mediated by the Vatican. Democratic senators filed a war powers resolution to check the administration's actions regarding Cuba. On 21 March Cuba rejected a U.S. Embassy request to bring in fuel, calling it 'shameless', and said its political system and leadership were not up for discussion. On 22 March the two countries were reported to be holding secret crisis talks, and a senior Cuban diplomat said Cuba was preparing for a possible U.S. military attack but remained ready for dialogue.
Other governments took positions. Ecuador expelled the Cuban ambassador and other diplomats, and Cuba closed its embassy in Ecuador. Costa Rica ordered the closure of its embassy in Cuba; Cuba said the move responded to U.S. pressure. The first international aid convoy, with five tons of medical supplies, arrived on 19 March. Mexican senators agreed to send aid. China reaffirmed its support and urged the United States to end its oil restrictions and sanctions.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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