Reference News Network, March 17 report: According to AFP, on March 16, the U.S. "New York Times" quoted four informed sources stating that the Trump administration pushed for the ouster of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel as part of negotiations between the two countries.
The newspaper reported: "According to these sources, the U.S. has told Cuban negotiators that the president must leave, but to let Cubans decide what happens next."
According to sources interviewed by the newspaper, the U.S. believes removing the president would pave the way for structural economic reforms, which are unwilling to be accepted by the conservative Díaz-Canel.
Cuba confirmed on the 13th that it was holding talks with the United States, and released political prisoners according to an agreement with the Vatican, which has historically served as a mediator between the two ideologically opposing countries.
President Trump has recently made strong statements against Cuba, claiming since mid-January that he is negotiating with high-level Cuban officials, but Havana had previously denied any such contact.
On the evening of the 15th, Trump hinted that an agreement would soon be reached: "Cuba also wants to reach an agreement, I think it will happen soon, either we reach an agreement or we do what must be done."
On the afternoon of the 16th, he again mentioned the topic, asserting that he "believes" he will "be honored to take over Cuba," although he did not specifically clarify what this verb meant.
Later, during a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump spoke about "taking over" the island country in some way, and also mentioned "liberating" it.
Since January, Washington has imposed an effective energy blockade on Cuba, citing that the country, just 150 kilometers from the Florida coast, poses a "special threat" to U.S. national security. (Translated by Lin Xiaoxuan)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7618420080795222571/
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