Trump administration eyes Cuba regime change after Venezuela success: WSJ

United States President Donald Trump is seeking allies within Cuba’s government to help negotiate an end to Communist rule before the end of 2026, emboldened by the recent removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing unnamed US officials.

The timing appears strategic. US officials believe Cuba’s economy is teetering on the brink of collapse, with the government uniquely vulnerable after losing critical support from Venezuela, according to the report.

While no detailed plan exists to dismantle Cuba’s regime, administration officials view Maduro’s capture and subsequent concessions as both a blueprint and a cautionary tale for Havana, the Journal reported.

Behind the scenes, officials have been meeting with Cuban exile groups in Miami and Washington to identify potential negotiators within Cuba’s government, the report states.

Though the US has stopped short of openly threatening military action against Cuba, officials indicated the Venezuela operation was designed to send a clear message about the consequences of defiance, according to the Journal.

According to the report, some officials suggest Trump’s approach differs from traditional regime-change strategies, favoring sustained pressure combined with diplomatic openings for negotiation.