The United States is seeking to “buy off” Cubans amid President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to target the island next in line after Iran, Associated Press reports.
According to officials, the US has made an offer to the Cuban government that includes tens of millions of dollars in humanitarian assistance, two years of free Starlink internet access for all citizens, as well as agricultural aid and infrastructure support.
They stressed that Havana has not formally rejected the proposal, which includes conditions the government has long opposed, even after the Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Cuba on Thursday, May 7.
Officials involved in early-stage discussions with Cuban representatives said they are not optimistic that the Cuban government will accept the offer.
However, according to them, due to the sensitivity of the discussions, there is still an opportunity for Cuba to accept the offer.
A US official also made it clear that it remains uncertain whether Cuba’s leadership is willing to meet US demands, which include releasing political prisoners, ending political and religious repression, and opening the country to American private investment.
At the same time, the official said dialogue has not been ruled out, given Cuba’s proximity to the United States and what Washington views as a national security concern over growing Chinese and Russian influence on the island, including intelligence and logistical cooperation.
Cuban officials, however, insist that internal governance is not negotiable.
By Bakhtiyar Abbasov
