According to a report from 'The New York Times', President Donald Trump is seeking to replicate the situation in Venezuela in Cuba, but without military intervention, with the key first step being the resignation of Cuban leader Agustín Díaz-Canel. The report cites four sources involved in negotiations between the U.S. and Cuba, indicating that the Trump administration views Díaz-Canel's removal not as an ultimatum but as a necessary positive step that would pave the way for productive agreements. The sources further clarify that no agreements can be reached while Díaz-Canel remains in power.

The situation in Cuba remains dire, highlighted by a recent blackout caused by a collapse of the electrical system, indicative of the broader challenges facing the island. Since the fall of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, the U.S. government appears to be shifting its strategy towards encouraging regime change in Cuba with the view that new leadership might facilitate a more favorable environment for negotiations and reforms. This aligns with Trump's broader foreign policy goals that have focused on reducing perceived threats from regimes in both Cuba and Venezuela.

The implications of this strategy are significant for U.S.-Cuban relations and for the political landscape in Cuba, where Díaz-Canel's presidency has already faced numerous challenges and dissent. The potential for a change in leadership could create opportunities for dialogue and reconciliation, but it also raises questions about the stability of the current regime and the possible repercussions in the region if a major shift were to occur.