The Trump administration has intensified its pressure on Cuba by demanding the resignation of President Miguel Díaz-Canel as a precondition for improving relations. Amid severe energy shortages exacerbated by U.S. sanctions, Trump declared, 'I believe I will enjoy the glory of taking over Cuba.' Reports suggest that the administration views Díaz-Canel as a hardliner unlikely to implement the economic reforms required by the U.S. This situation highlights the ongoing volatility of U.S.-Cuba relations and reflects Trump's broader strategy of targeting leadership change in countries that have been hostile toward the U.S., similar to Venezuela.

Díaz-Canel, who became president in 2018 while also serving as the General Secretary of the Communist Party, is the first Cuban leader not from the Castro family, though real power still rests largely with members of the revolutionary generation. Trump's administration's focus on ousting Díaz-Canel could symbolize a significant victory for Trump, suggesting that the U.S. could strike a deal with Cuba that allows for some cooperation while not directly attacking the Castro family's influence.

Officially, the Cuban government has not responded to these demands, although they have indicated a willingness to negotiate. Oscar Pérez Oliva, Cuba's deputy prime minister, has emphasized that Cuba is open to commercial relations not only with U.S. businesses but also with Cubans living in the U.S. and their descendants. Trump's assertive comments, including that he could operate in Cuba as he pleases and that the country is severely weakened without resources, contribute to the tense atmosphere between the U.S. and Cuba, significantly rattling Cuban society amid the ongoing energy crisis.