Inside the Trump administration’s efforts to pressure Cuba’s communist regime out

Published February 21, 2026 6:00am ET



The Trump administration has escalated its pressure against Cuba’s communist government, curbing oil supplies and threatening tariffs on countries that continue to ship fuel to the island as part of an effort to force regime change. 

Since the United States captured former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro in January, the Trump administration has turned its focus on Cuba.

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