Without invasion or assassinations: Trump's new way to change Cuba

The CIA is establishing a new covert task force aimed at increasing pressure on the Cuban regime and undermining its leadership, without invasion or lethal operations. The force will channel financial, human, and technological resources to create cracks in the political elite and promote more pragmatic leaders. The move comes as Cuba is designated a top intelligence priority, alongside China, Russia, and Iran.

The CIA is establishing a new covert task force aimed at increasing pressure on the Cuban regime and undermining its leadership, without invasion or lethal operations. The force is expected to channel financial, human, and technological resources toward Cuba, with the goal of creating cracks in the Cuban political elite and pushing out radical elements in favor of more pragmatic leaders who would be more responsive to Washington's demands. Unlike the task force established in 1960 that led to the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, the current force does not include armed Cuban partners and is not authorized to carry out lethal operations. It is reinforced with operations officers, intelligence analysts, and experts in cyber warfare and covert influence operations. The move comes against the backdrop of the Trump administration's decision to designate Cuba as the highest intelligence priority, alongside rival powers such as China, Russia, and Iran. US intelligence agencies have already begun directing advanced collection resources, including satellites, toward Cuba. The information is intended to help the US military update contingency plans for possible military action. CIA officers will track financial flows and transactions of senior Cuban officials, information that could be leaked to the public in an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the leadership. The CIA station in Havana, reopened in 2024, suffers from tight Cuban surveillance that disrupts agent operations.