Trump Administration War-Games Cuba Military Response, Accelerates Sanctions to Force Regime Collapse

The Trump administration conducted military tabletop exercises preparing for potential collapse of Cuba's government, with officials describing their strategy as deliberate "accelerationism" aimed at hastening societal collapse. U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) held multi-agency exercises last month to prepare military action plans. This follows Trump's May 1 executive order imposing new blocking sanctions against Cuban entities using IEEPA authority, the same power used in "maximum pressure" campaigns against Iran, Russia, and North Korea. Officials stated they are pushing economic sanctions and energy pressure to "strangle the regime in Havana," with the Pentagon positioning forces in the Caribbean capable of supporting strikes. Multiple sources report the administration expects potential regime collapse as early as summer 2026.

"Officials describe their strategy as deliberate 'accelerationism,' hastening societal collapse in stages rather than triggering immediate regime change."