Description:
The United States has effectively blockaded Cuba, turned back a Russian oil tanker, and sent CIA director John Radcliffe to Havana with what amounts to a regime change ultimatum, raising the question of whether Cuba is on the verge of becoming the next Venezuela.
Alexander Mercouris and Alex Christoforou of The Duran break down why the Cuban leadership may have actually refused Russian oil themselves, what the Americans are really demanding, and whether Trump and Marco Rubio can pull off a swift political takeover of the island without triggering a costly military confrontation. Is Cuba quietly capitulating to American pressure, or is this the opening move in a far more dangerous standoff in America's own backyard?
Timeline:
00:00:00 Introduction: Cuba blockade update
00:00:26 Russian oil tanker turned back from Cuba
00:01:33 Why Cuba may have refused the Russian tanker
00:02:02 CIA director Radcliffe visit and US demands
00:02:39 What deal is the US actually offering Cuba
00:03:47 Could the US invade Cuba? Resistance assessment
00:05:16 Cuban leadership fear of invasion and calculation
00:06:02 What regime change would mean for Trump
00:07:22 Strategic consequences for the US long term
00:10:42 Cuba's abandoned allies and faded global support
00:12:39 Spheres of influence: US tightening grip on the Americas
00:13:02 Rubio's political ambitions and the Cuba agenda
00:00:00 Introduction: Cuba blockade update
00:00:26 Russian oil tanker turned back from Cuba
00:01:33 Why Cuba may have refused the Russian tanker
00:02:02 CIA director Radcliffe visit and US demands
00:02:39 What deal is the US actually offering Cuba
00:03:47 Could the US invade Cuba? Resistance assessment
00:05:16 Cuban leadership fear of invasion and calculation
00:06:02 What regime change would mean for Trump
00:07:22 Strategic consequences for the US long term
00:10:42 Cuba's abandoned allies and faded global support
00:12:39 Spheres of influence: US tightening grip on the Americas
00:13:02 Rubio's political ambitions and the Cuba agenda
