President Donald Trump is growing impatient with the Cuban government's resilience despite months of sustained U.S. economic pressure, reports NBC News.
According to NBC News, Trump has been pressing advisers to explain why his administration's efforts to force regime collapse have not succeeded. White House officials believe the regime could fall by year's end without military intervention, but Trump considers that timeline insufficient, the outlet added.
In response to the President's frustrations, the Defense Department has begun updating plans for possible military action against Cuba, should Trump order an attack, according to two U.S. officials and a former official.
Cuba has shown no indication of willingness to relinquish power or offer concessions despite U.S. sanctions and military action against Venezuela earlier this year.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Cuba for rejecting $100 million in humanitarian aid, calling the current situation an "unacceptable status quo" given Cuba's proximity to U.S. shores.
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