Rafael Correa, the former president of Ecuador, has warned that the United States would face "another Vietnam" if it were to invade Cuba.
The leftist politician described a potential invasion as “another Vietnam for them,” during an interview with EFE, and criticized the oil blockade imposed by Trump on the Cuban regime as “criminal.”
“Unlike Venezuela, Cuba lacks natural resources and has always relied heavily on hydrocarbons. Blocking them is criminal. I see the Cuban people, who have always managed to persevere, but the damage is immense. It’s a nation left without electricity. What they are doing is criminal,” Correa remarked.
Regarding the removal of Nicolás Maduro, Correa expressed concern, noting that "U.S. military technology is decades ahead of the rest." He added, “The United States might bomb Cuba, but they won’t be able to invade it; that would be another Vietnam for them, and they know they can’t destabilize the regime from within."
On Friday, Trump announced that his administration would begin a "friendly and controlled takeover" of Cuba.
This information was shared by correspondent David Alandete, who reported on his X profile about the president’s statement regarding a “friendly and controlled” approach towards the island.
According to reports, Trump used the term “friendly and controlled takeover” to describe his government’s approach towards Cuba, though no specific details of this initiative have been publicly disclosed so far.
Correspondent Juan Esteban Silva also contributed to the narrative on X, claiming that Trump directly responded to him and characterized Cuba as a “failed nation.”
In his post, Silva mentioned that the president argued that the island "misbehaves," lacks "money and oil," and "needs the help of the United States."
Silva further noted that, according to Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is engaging in high-level discussions with the regime.
He also stated that the president mentioned he’s been hearing about Cuba since he was a child and reiterated his intention for a "friendly takeover."
Implications of U.S. Policy on Cuba
What does Rafael Correa mean by "another Vietnam"?
Rafael Correa is suggesting that a U.S. invasion of Cuba would result in a prolonged and difficult conflict similar to the Vietnam War, characterized by high costs and significant resistance.
What is the basis of Correa's criticism of the oil blockade on Cuba?
Correa criticizes the oil blockade because Cuba relies heavily on hydrocarbons due to its lack of natural resources, making the blockade particularly harmful and, in his view, criminal.
How has Trump described his approach to Cuba?
Trump has referred to his administration's approach as a "friendly and controlled takeover," although the specific details of this strategy have not been clearly outlined.