STRAT | 15 MAY 2026 | Cuba Crisis Signals Hemisphere Power Shift

About this episode

LtCol. Hal Kempfer discusses the implications of the growing pressure campaign against Cuba and its effects on the Western Hemisphere.

On this episode of STRAT , retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines the growing pressure campaign against Cuba and what it could mean for the future of the Western Hemisphere . With reports that the United States is preparing a potential indictment against Raúl Castro tied to the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown , tensions between Washington and Havana are escalating rapidly . The discussion explores how recent geopolitical shifts — including changes in Bolivia, increased counter-cartel cooperation with Mexico, new regional military coalitions, and Nicaragua distancing itself from Cuban migration routes — point toward a broader realignment away from Russian and Chinese influence in Latin America. Kempfer breaks down the strategic implications of renewed U.S. dominance in the region, the role of covert and overt pressure campaigns, and why Cuba may be approaching a historic turning point that could reshape hemispheric security for decades to come. Takeaways : The U.S. may pursue criminal charges against Raúl Castro over the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown. Cuba faces increasing economic and political pressure from Washington. Regional governments…

People in this episode

Guest: LtCol. Hal Kempfer

Topics covered

• Cuba Crisis
• Geopolitical Shifts
• U.S. Foreign Policy
• Latin America
• Regional Alliances
• Counter-Cartel Cooperation

Keywords

• Cuba
• Raúl Castro
• U.S. dominance
• geopolitical shifts
• Latin America
• counter-cartel
• Nicaragua
• Bolivia
• Russia
• China

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: United States, Cuba, Mexico

Places: Bolivia, Nicaragua, Western Hemisphere, Latin America, Washington, Havana, Russia, China

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