Losing Cuba, the global trickster

By Mario Reinaldo Machado. Lecturer at Dartmouth College.

What happened

By Mario Reinaldo Machado. Lecturer at Dartmouth College. Published On 19 Oct 202619 Oct 2026.

Cuba is once again in the United States's crosshairs. Washington's operation in Venezuela at the start of the year is largely seen to have paved the way for a similar undertaking on the Caribbean island. Recent media reports have made public US military activity nearby while US office-holders have repeatedly noted they want "Cuba to be free".

When and how the US may strike is still unclear. But indications are that the Cuban Revolution may be nearing its end. That is reason enough to pause and reflect on the outsized role this nation of 10 million has played on the world stage.

The bottom line

For now, losing Cuba, the global trickster remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.