In an offensive against Venezuela, Trump increases pressure on Cuba.

247, with AFP - The United States intensified pressure on Cuba this week with a decision linked to properties confiscated by the 1959 Revolution, which, according to experts, is part of the Trump administration's offensive against the Venezuelan government.

In fact, the action seems to target a wider area, against Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

"This is likely part of an overall strategy to attack the three countries simultaneously," Fernando Cutz, former advisor on Latin American affairs and national security to the White House, told AFP.

Two weeks ago in Miami, Trump announced with great fanfare that "the days of socialism and communism are numbered" in these three countries.

On Monday (4), after repeated threats to invade Venezuela to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro, the State Department announced that in 30 days it will enable a clause that will allow Cuban-Americans whose assets were nationalized after the 1959 revolution to file claims against companies that currently benefit from those properties.

With this action, the US government is fulfilling a request from Cuban exiles that has been ongoing for over 20 years.

In 1996, the Helms-Burton Act permitted these claims under Title III, but since then U.S. officials have delayed its implementation to avoid problems with European allies who have relations with the island.

Ace up your sleeve

Why will Washington use this tactic to reinforce the embargo it has imposed on the island since 1962?

In initiating the process of implementing Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, the United States is holding Cuba accountable for what it considers crimes, including its support for Maduro, argues U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, a descendant of Cubans and architect of Trump's strategy against Hugo Chávez's successor.

Pedro Freyre, a Miami lawyer specializing in the blockade against Cuba, also sees the situation this way.

"One of the goals of this action is to put pressure on Cuba regarding the Venezuelan issue," he explained to AFP.

Venezuela, mired in an economic crisis, has been experiencing a power struggle for over a month between opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who proclaimed himself interim president, and Maduro, whose second term has the support of Cuba, Russia, and China.

The Venezuelan opposition accuses Cuba of interference and denounces the presence of Cuban intelligence elements within the Venezuelan state apparatus. For its part, Cuba is attempting to unite the international community against the United States' aggression against Venezuela.

Uncertain impact

The effectiveness of this measure against Cuba in forcing the downfall of Maduro, who is under pressure from US economic sanctions, is being analyzed by experts.

"State Department spokespeople believe that Cuba is one of the main supporters of the Maduro government and that the partial application of Title III [of the Helms-Burton Act] is aimed at undermining that support," Jorge Duany, director of the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University (FIU), told AFP.

"Although it is impossible to guarantee that this political strategy will have the desired effect, it can be stated without a doubt that it will create a climate of uncertainty for foreign investment in Cuba," said Duany, recalling that Cuba's policy has traditionally been impervious to the US blockade.

Cutz, who has just joined the group of experts at the Wilson Center in Washington, also cannot clearly see the impact of the application of Title III.

"Definitely, it will be unpleasant (for Cubans). It will create more problems and demands that they will have to face and defend against. It will cost time, energy, and resources. But, in practical terms, will it affect them? Most likely not." He also doesn't believe it will affect Venezuela.

But the stage is set, and it's possible that the next target will be Nicaragua.

"What we've seen so far is that attention is focused on Venezuela, obviously. Now we're seeing a renewed focus on Cuba. So, I believe the next step will be the implementation of some kind of severe sanctions or other actions directed at Nicaragua as well," Cutz opined.