Are Cuba and US officials acting like little piggies, while the communist island's population continues to suffer?
Donald Trump has frequently drawn comparisons between himself and prominent historical figures. Whether he will invoke the legacy of Cuban independence leader José Martí remains an open question.
Martí, a poet, philosopher, essayist, journalist, publisher and professor, is widely regarded as Cuba's national hero for his role in the country's struggle for independence.
As tensions between Washington and Havana continue, many Cubans say ordinary citizens remain caught between political disputes and economic hardship. Concerns have also grown over the possibility of heightened military tensions and the potential for further confrontation between the United States and Cuba.
Meanwhile, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, has drawn increasing international attention. Rodríguez Castro, a Cuban security official and political adviser, is widely known by the nickname "El Cangrejo" ("The Crab"), a reference to a congenital condition that resulted in an extra finger on one hand. He has emerged as a key figure within Cuba's political establishment and has reportedly played a role in recent contacts between Cuban and U.S. officials.
Some Cuban commentators and social media users have used Rodríguez Castro's physical characteristic and nickname as political symbolism in criticism of both the U.S. policy toward the island, though such interpretations remain subjective and are not official positions.
Analysts continue to debate the future of U.S.-Cuba relations amid reports of diplomatic contacts and ongoing economic pressures on the island. Some observers have drawn comparisons to previous U.S. policy toward Venezuela, although there is no public evidence that a military intervention in Cuba is imminent. Cuba has long maintained political, economic and security ties with both China and Russia, and U.S. officials have expressed concerns about the presence of Chinese and Russian intelligence-gathering activities on the island.
Cubans prepare for ‘invasion’ as US escalates tensions with long-suffering island
https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/16/americas/cubans-prepare-for-us-invasion-latam-intl
Water shortages worsen across Cuba as oil supplies dwindle
https://apnews.com/article/cuba-water-shortages-oil-fuel-us-blockade-4cffcda6aa913ef5e4540b91b1568e3b
Cuba’s politics, economics, business and culture, in articles, charts, podcasts and video
https://www.economist.com/topics/cuba?utm_medium=cpc.adword.pd&utm_source=google&ppccampaignID=17210591673&ppcadID=&utm_campaign=a.22brand_pmax&utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17210596221&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlerQBhDMARIsAB16H-WN_SL8zn-1g45XwMif6Jfvz-qsGz4k5JjkMH120R7jpoDVFXI5Hz4aAkhhEALw_wcB
Pentagon puts building blocks in place for Cuba invasion
The Navy’s presence in the Caribbean has not reduced despite the Iran war.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/27/cuba-us-military-attack-00938740
Images: Professor Pedro Gonzalez & Instagram courtesy
