U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted on Thursday a slow process of regime change in Cuba. "Without Maduro in Venezuela, it seems there could be a slow regime change in Cuba," Bessent stated in an interview with Fox Business. The White House and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected a New York Times report claiming that the Donald Trump administration is seeking the removal of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel without demanding a regime change as part of negotiations with Havana. Cuba has been in a deep socio-economic crisis for six years, which has been exacerbated since January by the U.S. government's oil blockade—a policy the UN has deemed contrary to international law. Regarding Iran, Bessent called it a "terrible sponsor of global terrorism," stating that its military capabilities are "degraded" and Tehran has lost its ability to "project power" in the region and the world. Concerning the conflict in Eastern Europe, the Secretary expressed optimism about a near-term resolution: "Eventually, the Russia-Ukraine situation will be resolved. I believe gas and energy prices will be lower than they have been in a long time."
