March 17, 2026

NYT: US Seeks Resignation of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel

The administration of US President Donald Trump is seeking the resignation of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, writes The New York Times, citing four sources. In particular, Trump's representatives have made it clear to their Cuban counterparts that the president should step down. At the same time, they "leave further steps to the discretion" of the Cubans. American officials believe that Díaz-Canel's departure will allow for structural economic reforms that the current president is unlikely to approve. According to two sources, the Trump administration is not insisting on any actions against members of Fidel Castro's family, who are still considered influential figures in the country. The removal of Miguel Díaz-Canel would be a "symbolic victory for Trump, allowing him to claim that he overthrew the leader of a left-wing government that has long opposed the US," as was the case in Venezuela, for example. America wants to achieve through negotiations that Cuba opens its economy to American businessmen and companies. This would lay the foundation for a "dependent state," writes the NYT. Miguel Díaz-Canel has held the post of President of Cuba since 2018. He is called a nominal leader of the country in the media, as he was chosen as his successor by former Cuban President Raul Castro, who still has significant influence in the country. Earlier, electricity disappeared throughout Cuba. The situation is related to the exacerbation of the energy and economic crises.