US Defense Secretary does not rule out 'kidnapping' of Cuban president

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he would not rule out the possibility of the United States "kidnapping" Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Hegseth added that any final decision on potential action would rest with President Donald Trump. Speaking on the state of relations between Washington and Havana, Hegseth said the trajectory of the relationship depends "on the decisions of the Cuban government and the US president." The United States has stepped up political and economic pressure on Cuba in recent months. In January, Trump signed an executive order authorizing tariffs on imports from countries that supply oil to Cuba. He also declared a national emergency on the grounds that Cuba poses a threat to US national security.