Is Cuba Next?

Is Cuba Next?

From Hold Your Fire! by International Crisis Group

March 20, 2026 · 45 min · Season 6 · Episode 27

About this episode

The episode discusses U.S. policy towards Cuba and Venezuela, including the implications of the Trump administration's actions and the potential for military intervention.

In this episode of Hold Your Fire! , Richard Atwood speaks with Crisis Group’s Latin America director, Renata Segura and senior policy director, Ivan Briscoe, about what the Trump administration is trying to achieve in Cuba and recent developments in Venezuela. They discuss Washington’s pressure campaign on Cuba, the effects of the U.S. oil blockade, popular frustration on the island and the inner workings of the Cuban regime and the reported talks between Washington and figures within the Cuban regime. They also look at Venezuela, what has changed since Nicolás Maduro’s capture, what is happening with oil revenues and whether the country is moving toward political reform. They assess how the rest of Latin America is reacting to Trump. They ask whether military action against Cuba is a real possibility, and whether a compromise short of full regime change would satisfy Washington and hardline Cuban-Americans. For more, check out our Q&A “ Hunger in Havana: Can the U.S. Cutoff Bring Change to Cuba? ” and our Latin America & Caribbean page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Richard Atwood

Guests: Renata Segura, Ivan Briscoe

Topics covered

  • Cuba
  • Venezuela
  • U.S. foreign policy
  • political reform
  • oil blockade
  • Latin America reactions

Keywords

  • Cuba
  • Venezuela
  • Trump administration
  • political reform
  • oil blockade
  • Nicolás Maduro
  • Latin America

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Crisis Group, Washington, U.S.

Places: Cuba, Venezuela, Latin America, Havana

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