Trump's government claimed that the Cuban dictatorship is close to collapse: 'It is not going to last much longer'

The United States government asserted that the Cuban regime is going through a critical stage and warned that the political system imposed by Castroism "is not going to last much longer". Christopher Landau, United States Deputy Secretary of State, expressed this, and he maintained that Washington expects that in 2026 Cubans will be able to fully exercise their essential freedoms.

The statements were made through a video message projected at the residence of the United States ambassador in Havana, Mike Hammer, during the inauguration ceremony of the activities for the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States.

"After 67 years of a failed revolution, it is time for change"

In his message, Landau quoted President Donald Trump and stated that "the Castro-communist regime is staggering and is not going to last much longer". The official was blunt in describing the Cuban political process as a failed revolution that for almost seven decades "betrayed the Cuban people".

"After 67 years of a failed revolution, it is already time for the change that people on the island aspire to", Landau maintained, while he emphasized that the United States will closely follow all political and social developments in Cuba.

Support for the Cuban people and demand for political prisoners

The Deputy Secretary of State reaffirmed that the Republican administration is committed to supporting ordinary Cubans, insisting on the need for human rights to be respected and for all political prisoners who remain detained for ideological reasons to be released.

"We hope that in 2026 Cubans will finally be able to exercise their essential freedoms", Landau stated, in one of the most explicit messages from the United States government about a possible regime change on the island.

Reports of repression during the diplomatic event

During the reception at the embassy, Ambassador Mike Hammer reported that multiple Cuban guests were unable to attend due to operations by the regime's security forces, which blocked access, carried out arrests, and forced several opposition members to remain in their homes.

Non-governmental organizations and opposition leaders confirmed that at least ten opposition members and independent journalists were intercepted to prevent their participation.

Among those affected were well-known figures such as:

• Manuel Cuesta Morúa, president of the Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba
• Berta Soler, leader of the Ladies in White
• Yoani Sánchez, director of the independent outlet 14yMedio
• Dagoberto Valdés, director of the Center for Convivencia Studies

More internal pressure after Maduro's fall

Activists and opposition members reported an increase in internal repression, which they attribute to the growing nervousness of the Cuban regime after the capture of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, Havana's main political and economic supporter for decades.

In that vein, President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that Cuba "is about to fall", as he pointed out that the regime stopped receiving oil and resources from Venezuela after Maduro's departure from power.

"It was getting its money from Venezuela, it was getting the oil from Venezuela, but they do not have it anymore", Trump noted before an event in Iowa, underscoring the structural fragility of the Cuban system.

Energy crisis and massive blackouts on the island

In parallel, Cuba is going through a severe energy crisis. On Wednesday, simultaneous blackouts were recorded throughout the country, with disruptions that reached up to 58% of the national territory during peak demand, according to the state-owned company Unión Eléctrica (UNE).

The crisis has deepened since mid-2024 and it has worsened after the cutoff of Venezuelan crude supplies, in addition to constant failures in obsolete thermal power plants and the lack of foreign currency to import fuel.

A weakened regime and a debated scenario of change

The combination of international pressure, energy collapse, loss of strategic allies, and growing internal repression reinforces the perception in Washington that the Cuban regime is facing its weakest moment in decades.

From the White House, officials insist that the objective is not confrontation, but rather to accompany a process that will allow Cubans to regain freedoms, political rights, and decent living conditions, after more than half a century of authoritarianism.