During talks about Cuba's future, officials from the Trump administration have reportedly pushed for the removal of President Miguel Díaz-Canel, as reported by The New York Times, citing four sources familiar with the discussions. The intent from Washington is to facilitate Díaz-Canel's departure while allowing the current government to maintain power, indicating a complex diplomatic strategy aimed at reshaping Cuba without a complete regime change. Additionally, the sources indicated that the US is not demanding any actions against influential members of the Castro family.

According to an anonymous source from The New York Times, the removal of Cuba's head of state would enable significant economic structural changes in the country, which are unlikely to be supported by Díaz-Canel, who is considered a hardliner by officials of the Trump administration. This reflects a broader strategy wherein Washington seeks to instigate changes in Cuba's governance, potentially influencing economic policies that have been stagnant under the current leadership. The implications of such a move could lead to further changes within Cuba, should Díaz-Canel be successfully ousted.

Díaz-Canel recently acknowledged that Havana is engaged in discussions with Washington, but he did not disclose the contents of these talks. The significance of these negotiations is underscored by the US's history of intervention in Latin American politics and its ongoing efforts to influence regimes in the region, exemplified by the situation in Venezuela. The narrative suggests a nuanced approach where the US is attempting to navigate tensions while fostering a more favorable political environment in Cuba, which remains a contentious issue in international relations.