Weekly Report - 07 May 2026 (WR-26-18)

In what appears to be a significant ramping up of Washington’s pressure campaign on Cuba, as part of efforts to push for the island’s economic opening, US President Donald Trump has announced new economic sanctions and revived the threat of a military takeover. Trump’s escalation of action and rhetoric comes amid other signs that his administration is fast losing patience with Havana, following last month’s talks in Cuba [WR-26-16], with the Cuban government digging in its heels over Washington’s demands of political and economic reform and the release of political prisoners.