President Donald Trump stated that Cuba is currently a “failed nation” and urged Havana to negotiate with the United States, ruling out the possibility of a regime change maneuver. He mentioned during a press briefing on Air Force One that the United States does not plan to topple Cuba’s government, similar to the actions taken in Venezuela with the removal of President Nicolas Maduro.
The Caribbean island is grappling with severe fuel shortages and power outages, exacerbated by the Trump administration’s tightening of the longstanding US embargo on Cuba and efforts to halt oil supplies to the country. Trump acknowledged the gravity of the situation, referring to the fuel scarcities as a humanitarian crisis.
The effects of the fuel restrictions are becoming increasingly evident in Havana, with garbage accumulating on the streets, emitting foul odors and attracting swarms of flies. According to reports from AFP, only 44 out of the 106 garbage trucks in Havana are currently operational due to the fuel shortages, leading to delays in waste collection.
The streets of the Cuban capital are strewn with cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, used bags, and rags as residents scavenge through the piles for reusable items. The mounting trash heaps are causing inconvenience to drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, who are forced to navigate around the obstructive waste.