A new poll shows that a majority of Americans oppose the use of US military force to achieve regime change in Cuba, as President Trump has recently threatened to take control of the island nation.

The Economist/YouGov poll, conducted March 13-16 among 1,595 respondents, found that 53 percent said they somewhat oppose or strongly oppose American military force for regime change in Cuba.

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive critics have condemned Trump's rhetoric on Cuba as dangerous and counterproductive. Congressional Progressive Caucus leaders have called for diplomatic engagement rather than military threats, arguing that decades of US sanctions have failed to change Cuba's government and that further escalation would only deepen suffering among ordinary Cubans.

Human rights organizations aligned with progressive causes have noted that Trump's threats lack a clear legal basis under international law. They point to Cuba's long-standing resistance to US pressure and argue that military intervention would violate sovereignty norms that the US has traditionally championed.

Former Obama administration officials have privately expressed concern that Trump's approach abandons the cautious diplomatic opening pursued during the previous administration. These officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that regime change efforts have historically failed in Cuba despite decades of economic pressure.

What the Right Is Saying

Conservative supporters of Trump's position argue that the US has every right to confront a communist regime 90 miles from Florida. Foreign policy hawks in Congress have praised Trump's willingness to take a hard line, noting that Cuba has long been allied with US adversaries including Russia and China.

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has been among the most vocal supporters of a tougher stance on Havana. Speaking at a recent committee hearing, Rubio argued that Cuba's strategic location makes it a national security concern and that the US cannot tolerate a hostile regime in its backyard.

Conservative commentators have framed Trump's threats as necessary leverage in negotiations. They argue that the explicit use of military force as a policy tool may be the only language the Cuban government understands after decades of what they characterize as failed diplomatic engagement.

Some right-leaning analysts have suggested that Trump's willingness to threaten regime change could succeed where previous administrations' policies have failed. They point to the recent capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as evidence that Trump's approach produces tangible results.

What the Numbers Show

The Economist/YouGov poll found 53 percent of respondents oppose military force for regime change in Cuba, while 23 percent support such action. Another 23 percent said they were unsure about using military force.

The poll of 1,595 adults was conducted from March 13-16 and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.

The poll comes amid historically low approval for Trump's foreign policy decisions. Previous Economist/YouGov surveys have shown mixed feelings about the administration's aggressive approach to international issues, including the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Trump's threats against Cuba follow a pattern of bold foreign policy declarations, including his push to acquire Greenland and the capture of Maduro in Venezuela. These actions have drawn both praise from supporters and criticism from opponents.

The Bottom Line

The poll results suggest that Americans are divided on Trump's hardline approach to Cuba, with a narrow majority opposing military intervention despite the president's threats. The 53 percent opposition rate, while significant, leaves nearly a quarter of respondents either supporting military action or undecided.

Trump has not ruled out a military move, telling reporters he believes he can "do anything I want" with Cuba. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has responded by pledging "impregnable resistance" to what he called US threats to overthrow Cuba's constitutional order by force.

What remains unclear is whether Trump's rhetoric will translate into actual military action or serve primarily as pressure in negotiations. The poll suggests that if the US were to pursue military options, it would face significant public skepticism. The administration will likely point to the 23 percent support as evidence of backing for a assertive stance, while critics will emphasize the majority opposition as reason to pursue diplomacy instead.