No fuel, no tourists, no cash - this was the week the Cub...

What’s Happening

Real talk: Diplomats in Havana are preparing for an alternative Trump tactic: the country being starved until people take to the streets and the US can step in Among the verdant gardens of Havana’s diplomatic quarter, Siboney, ambassadors from countries traditionally allied to the United States are expressing increasing frustration with Washington’s attempt to unseat Cuba’s government, while simultaneously drawing up plans to draw down their missions.

Already reeling from A bald eagle flying down claws first on to a Cuba flag Composite: Artwork and Guardian Design. Source Photographs View image in fullscreen A bald eagle flying down claws first on to a Cuba flag Composite: Artwork and Guardian Design. (and honestly, same)

Source Photographs The Sunday read Cuba No fuel, no tourists, no cash - this was the week the Cuban crisis got real Diplomats in Havana are preparing for an alternative Trump tactic: the country being starved until people take to the streets and the US can step in Ruaridh Nicoll in Havana Sun 15 Feb 2026 01.

The Details

00 EST Last modified on Sun 15 Feb 2026 01. 02 EST Among the verdant gardens of Havana’s diplomatic quarter, Siboney, ambassadors from countries traditionally allied to the United States are expressing increasing frustration with Washington’s attempt to unseat Cuba’s government, while simultaneously drawing up plans to draw down their missions.

Already reeling from a four-year economic slump, worsened by hyper-inflation and the migration of nearly 20% of the population, the 67-year-old communist government is at its weakest. After Washington’s successful military operation against Cuba’s ally Venezuela at the beginning of January, the US administration is actively seeking regime change.

Why This Matters

The Guardian spoke to more than five top-level officials from different countries, and heard complaints that the US charge d’affaires, Mike Hammer, has flopped to any sort of detailed plan beyond bringing the island to a standstill of oil. One dropped: “There’s talk of human rights, and that this is the year Cuba changes – but little talk of what happens afterwards. ” Some hope that rumoured high-level discussions in Mexico between the Cuban government – in the form of Gen Alejandro Castro Espín, son of Cuba’s 94-year-old former president Raúl Castro – and US officials might produce a deal, but as yet there are no signs of progress.

World leaders are expected to respond to this situation soon.

The Bottom Line

” Some hope that rumoured high-level discussions in Mexico between the Cuban government – in the form of Gen Alejandro Castro Espín, son of Cuba’s 94-year-old former president Raúl Castro – and US officials might produce a deal, but as yet there are no signs of progress.

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