Cuba Signals Possible Leadership Change as U.S. Talks Push for Reform

With back-channel talks underway, the Trump administration sees Díaz-Canel as an obstacle and hints at replacing him as part of a deal to push Cuba toward economic and political reforms, while Raúl Castro’s circle and GAESA maintain power; removing Díaz-Canel would test Cuba’s institutional stability and the credibility of any U.S.–Cuba agreement, even as protests and exodus have eroded his legitimacy.