WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� The United States began ratcheting up pressure on communist-controlled Cuba after the military action in Venezuela early this year resulted in the capture of .
The Justice Department is preparing to seek an former Cuban leader Ra煤l Castro. A criminal charge against Castro would have to be approved by a grand jury and could escalate tensions with Havana.
It would come amid rising tensions this year between President Donald Trump’s administration and Cuba鈥檚 government. Meanwhile, the U.S. is in the midst of an uneasy ceasefire in the U.S. war against Iran.
Here鈥檚 a closer look at developments over the year between Cuba and the U.S.
Jan. 4
A in Venezuela that captured Maduro, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Cuba’s government was 鈥渋n a lot of trouble,” as the president renewed calls for an American takeover of the Danish territory of Greenland.
Jan. 11
fired off to the as the braced for after was deposed. Trump called for the Cuban government 鈥渢o make a deal BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”
Cuba鈥檚 president, , responded, 鈥淭hose who turn everything into a business, even human lives, have no moral authority to point the finger at Cuba in any way, absolutely in any way.鈥�
Jan. 30
Trump to impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, a move that could .
Feb. 27
A day before the war in Iran began, the U.S. was in talks with Havana and raised the possibility of a 鈥渇riendly takeover of Cuba,鈥� though he didn’t offer any details.
Trump said Rubio was in discussions with Cuban leaders 鈥渁t a very high level.鈥�
Trump didn鈥檛 clarify his comments but seemed to indicate that the situation with Cuba, among Washington鈥檚 bitterest adversaries for decades, was coming to a critical point.
Sometime in February
Ra煤l Guillermo Rodr铆guez Castro, the grandson of Castro known as “Ra煤lito,” on the sidelines of a Caribbean Community summit in St. Kitts in February.
March 13
Cuba and the U.S. held talks, marking the first time the confirmed widespread speculation about discussions with the Trump administration amid an energy crisis.
He said the talks 鈥渨ere aimed at finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences between our two nations. International factors facilitated these exchanges.鈥�
March 31
A sanctioned , the first time in three months fuel reached the island.
April 9
Diaz-Canel he would not resign.
April 12
said in an interview he would not step down and that the U.S. has no valid reason to carry out a military attack against the island or to attempt to depose him.
Speaking in the on NBC’s 鈥淢eet the Press,鈥� the president said an invasion of Cuba would be costly and affect regional security.
April 16
spoke that drew hundreds of people to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the declaration of the Cuban Revolution鈥檚 socialist essence.
鈥淭he moment is extremely challenging and calls upon us once again, as on April 16, 1961, to be ready to confront serious threats, including military aggression. We do not want it, but it is our duty to prepare to avoid it and, if it becomes inevitable, to defeat it,鈥� 顿铆补锄-颁补苍别濒 said.
April 17
News emerged that an American with Cuban government officials, marking a . This was at least the third meeting with Rodr铆guez Castro.
A senior State Department official met with Rodr铆guez Castro earlier in the month, according to a department official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.
The official did not say who from the U.S. met with Rodr铆guez Castro, whose grandfather is believed to play an influential role in the Cuban government despite not holding an official post. A second U.S. official said Rubio was not part of the delegation that visited Havana.
April 23
A Cuban diplomat speaking at the United Nations Havana will not abide by any American 鈥渦ltimatums鈥� to release political prisoners as .
In an interview with The Associated Press, Cuban Ambassador to the U.N. Ernesto Sober贸n Guzm谩n said internal issues regarding detainees 鈥渁re not on the negotiating table.鈥� The release of political prisoners was a key U.S. demand as the longtime adversaries .
April 28
Senate Republicans from Democrats that would have required to end the U.S. energy blockade on unless he receives approval from Congress.
The vote on the war powers resolution showed how Republicans continue to stand behind Trump as he acts unilaterally to in a range of global conflicts, including Venezuela, Iran and Cuba 鈥� one of the U.S.鈥檚 closest neighbors.
May 7
the United States was not looking at imminent military action against Havana despite Trump鈥檚 repeated and that American warships deployed in the Middle East for the Iran conflict could return by way of the island.
The officials involved in also told the AP that they are not optimistic the communist government will accept an offer for tens of , two years of free Starlink internet access for all Cubans, and infrastructure support.
But they say Cuba has not yet outright refused the offer, which comes with , even after the Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Havana.
May 14
said met with Cuban officials including Ra煤l Castro鈥檚 grandson during a high-level visit to the island.
Ratcliffe met with Rodr铆guez Castro, Interior Minister L谩zaro 脕lvarez Casas and the head of Cuban intelligence services, and discussed intelligence cooperation, economic stability and security issues. A CIA official confirmed the meetings to the AP.
May 15
The Justice Department to seek an indictment against Castro, told the AP.
One of the people said the potential indictment is connected to Castro鈥檚 alleged role in the 1996 shootdown of four planes operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue. Castro was defense minister at the time.
All three people spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren鈥檛 authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation. The Cuban government did not respond to a request for comment on the potential indictment, which was reported earlier by CBS.
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