By
MG Paul E. Vallely, US Army (Ret)
March 20, 2026
The United States and the Cuban Americans have the opportunity to save Cuba and the Cuban people. Looking more closely at the Western Hemisphere, we see opportunities for countries like Cuba to reestablish their historic nations’ prosperity. Focusing on rebuilding and restoring Cuba is well worth the time and effort. We envision a possible Commonwealth or Territory of the United States, much like Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and is a self-governing and unincorporated territory of the United States. Would the people of Cuba accept this new relationship with the United States?
There are choices for the Cuban people in regard to its future. Remain poor under a communist system or accept a future of a democratic, free society. There is a great opportunity for Cubans to join the United States and experience a bright future.
President Trump is moving swiftly to restore the integrity of the Western Hemisphere and to Cuba and Venezuela. The Monroe Doctrine was articulated in President James Monroe’s seventh annual message to Congress on December 2, 1823. According to Monroe, the European powers were obligated to respect the Western Hemisphere as the United States’ sphere of interest. We now call this the Donroe Doctrine for securing the Western Hemisphere.
During a press conference at the White House’s Oval Office, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the urgent need for a dramatic shift in leadership to help Cuba emerge from its ongoing crisis. The bottom line is their economy is broken. It’s a non-functional economy.” He highlighted the regime’s historic reliance on external subsidies to stay afloat. What they call a revolution, it’s not even that; it’s just something that has survived on Soviet Union and Chinese subsidies. He bluntly addressed the current leadership’s failure to address this challenge. They are in significant trouble, and those in charge don’t know how to fix it. Rubio’s prescription was clear: “They need to bring in new leadership” and pursue “dramatic changes.” Earlier, Rubio had voiced that those reforms in Cuba are insufficient to address its deep-rooted issues. President Donald Trump lent his support with a brief yet impactful statement on March 17: “Cuba is speaking with Marco Rubio; we will do something very soon.”
The Western Hemisphere must be aligned to protect the area and countries from the influence of China (CCP), its borders, essential and rare minerals, trade routes, mutual trade without tariffs, security arrangements, and Democratic principles of governing. It is recommended that initiatives be pursued to engage Cuba to be a new territory of the United States, as Puerto Rico is. The Panama Canal should be managed by the United States and Panama. The treasures of materials in the Western Hemisphere must be protected.
www.standupamericaus.org; Contact: suaus1961@gmail.com;
[P1]