Trump Administration Reportedly Seeking The Removal Of Cuban President To Allow The Havana Regime To Remain In Power

The Trump administration is reportedly seeking the removal of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel as part of its push for reforms in the island, according to a new report.

The New York Times detailed that the administration is not pushing for action against members of the Castro family, suggesting a move to achieve its goals without regime change in a similar way it did in Venezuela earlier this year.

Some Trump officials told the outlet that removing Diaz-Canel could allow structural changes in the country that he is reluctant to allow given his hardline views. They signaled to Cuban negotiators that the president must go but are leaving next steps to Havana.

Elsewhere, the outlet noted that U.S. officials also want to removal of other older officials committed with the ideas of Fidel Castro, as well as the release of political prisoners.

The negotiations are taking place as the Trump administration continues to put pressure on Cuba, largely by preventing fuel from getting to the island.

Havana is making changes to its economic structure to avoid complete collapse, and is now set to allow nationals living abroad to invest in the private sector and own businesses in their homeland.

Cuba's deputy prime minister and minister of foreign trade and investment, Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, told NBC News that the ongoing blockade by the United States is hindering the strategy from coming to fruition. The remarks were made before yet another country-wide blackout hit the island.

"Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with U.S. companies as well with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants," Fraga said, adding that the reform seeks to create what he described as a "dynamic business environment" that could help revive multiple sectors of Cuba's economy.

"This extends beyond the commercial sphere. It also applies to investments — not only small investments, but also large investments, particularly in infrastructure," Fraga added.

The Cuban official added that U.S. sanctions and blockades have slowed the implementation of this new strategy, as a lack of resources such as fuel has deprived the Cuban government of access to financing, technology and other markets.