The United States has significantly intensified its “energy quarantine” against Cuba, aiming to destabilize the communist government and deepen a decades-long economic crisis. This blockade has exacerbated food, medicine, and water shortages for 10 million citizens, alongside rising epidemics and political repression. Sebastián Arcos of Florida International University suggests the resilient regime may not survive this pressure. President Donald Trump hinted at a “friendly takeover,” drawing parallels to Venezuela. This strategy reportedly involves Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaging with Raúl Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, grandson of de facto leader Raúl Castro, during a Caricom conference meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Raúl Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, serving as his grandfather’s bodyguard, is believed to control GAESA, a powerful conglomerate managing Cuba’s armed forces and a significant portion of its economy, reportedly holding $18 billion in undisclosed assets. Despite the aggressive posture, Secretary Rubio clarified the Trump administration is not demanding immediate regime change in Havana, stating a more gradual approach: “Cuba needs to change. It needs to change. And it doesn’t have to change all at once.”
Simultaneously, the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran, raising questions about congressional authorization. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Secretary Rubio notified the “Gang of Eight” — top congressional leaders and intelligence committee members — prior to the strikes. President Trump monitored the situation from Mar a Lago, consulting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed the group was briefed.
This notification method, while debated, is often interpreted by presidents as fulfilling the 1947 National Security Act’s “fully informed” requirement, rather than briefing full committees. Critics like Rep. Thomas Massie denounced the strikes as “Acts of war unauthorized by Congress,” with plans from Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna to force a vote restricting Trump’s war powers. Amidst this, Secretary Rubio also announced Iran’s designation as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, following a Trump executive order and the Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025. Further measures, including potential travel restrictions, are threatened if Iran fails to cease its actions.
