Military Invasion On Hold?

Donald Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of military action against Cuba. The U.S. Southern Command joined in Tuesday, posting a suggestive photo of Rubio alongside Gen. Francis L. Donovan, with Cuba looming prominently on a map in the background.

But the signals from Trump and his administration have been mixed.

After meeting with Trump in Washington, D.C., Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Thursday that the U.S. president “doesn’t plan to invade Cuba."

“It's a great sign, because Cuba wants to dialogue and find a solution," he said.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials have told AP that the Trump administration is “not looking at imminent military action against Havana.”

AP also revealed the names of the State Department officials who led a reported delegation to Havana on April 10 — Jeremy Lewin, who is in charge of all U.S. foreign assistance, and Michael Kozak, the top U.S. diplomat for Latin America.

“Cuba Should Be Applauded, Not Invaded”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro spoke out Monday against military aggression toward Cuba in a speech at the National University in Bogotá, praising Cuba’s scientific and cultural achievements.

“If there is an artistic and cultural vanguard in Latin America, it is called Cuba,” he said. “Instead of being invaded and bombed, [Cuba] should be applauded and helped."