Trump escalates Cuba pressure with sanctions and war-game planning

The Trump administration is stepping up pressure on Cuba to hasten a regime collapse without a U.S. invasion, deploying a broad sanctions program targeting GAESA and conducting multiagency war games while hoping to maximize leverage as Venezuela’s oil lifeline dries up. Officials describe the approach as 'accelerationism'—pressuring the regime, watching for responses, then pressing again—while offering limited carrots and noting Congress constraints on easing the embargo. The plan leans on NGO-led aid rather than government channels and contrasts with Maduro-style interventions, aiming to time a transition while keeping options open.