On Friday, March 27th, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo concluded the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Paris and before boarding his return flight, he told reporters that Cuba needs a regime change, otherwise the economy will not improve. He also added that the power shortages are a result of Cuba’s aging infrastructure.
Pompeo stated that during the meeting in Paris with the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) member countries, they discussed the situation in Cuba.
Cuban citizens have been hit by three major power outages in March. In response to this, Pompeo clarified that Cuba has been experiencing power outages last year and the year before, and Cuba has not been blockaded by sea. The reason for the lack of oil and fuel in Cuba is because they expect to receive it for free.
“Unless it’s subsidized by the Soviet Union or (former Venezuelan President) Maduro, no one is going to be constantly giving away oil and fuel for free. They (Cuba) might occasionally receive a shipment or two, but not enough to sustain the country’s operation, so that’s why they are experiencing power outages,” he explained.
Over the decades, with the help of the former Soviet Union, Havana managed to resist the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The Soviet Union provided subsidies to Cuba until its dissolution in 1991. Subsequently, Venezuela supplied oil to Cuba at a lower price. This played a crucial role in stabilizing Cuba’s economy over the past two decades.
In early January of this year, the United States arrested dictator Nicolás Maduro. Consequently, Cuba lost its oil supply from Venezuela and is currently facing its most serious economic crisis in decades.
Pompeo pointed out that the current state of Cuba’s infrastructure is the superficial reason behind the frequent major power outages. He said that Cuba lacks fuel and the reason for the power outages is because they are still using equipment from the 1950s and 1960s that has never been maintained or updated.
Furthermore, the Secretary of State bluntly pointed out the root cause of Cuba’s economic and humanitarian crisis. “Ultimately, the reason Cuba is in dire straits is that their economic system fundamentally does not work. It’s an absurd system, and the Cuban people are suffering because those in power are unwilling to make the necessary changes to integrate into the 21st century,” he stated.
Pompeo added that the only way for the Cuban people to succeed is to leave their country. He described this as a tragic situation. Cuban people have achieved success worldwide, except in Cuba.
“This situation must change, and to change the current state of affairs, there must be a regime change, a change in the national system, a change in the economic model they follow. If Cuba wants a better future, this is the only way forward,” emphasized the Secretary of State.
He concluded by stating that a regime change is the way to change Cuba’s current situation and perhaps now is the opportunity to achieve this goal.
On March 16th, U.S. President Trump had expressed to the media in the White House that he believes the communist regime in Cuba has reached a “final stage.”
Trump stated that he believes he will have the historic honor of “taking down Cuba” and that due to the energy shortages, Cuba has become an extremely weak country. The President also praised Cuba’s natural beauty and superior climate conditions, and he believes that after shaking off authoritarian rule, Cuba has great potential for development.
Previously, Trump hinted that after achieving goals in Iran, he would turn his attention to Cuba. He had mentioned planning a “friendly takeover” of this Caribbean nation.
Pompeo is currently leading negotiations between the United States and the Cuban regime.