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Cuba Is Too Close to Ignore: The U.S. Push to Regain Strategic Control and influence on nickel

30-03-2026

Cuba, an island nation of just 11 million people, sits at one of the most consequential crossroads in global geopolitics. Located barely 90 miles from Florida at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico, Cuba commands access to major shipping lanes linking the Atlantic Ocean, the Panama Canal, and the energy-rich Gulf region. This geography alone makes Cuba strategically invaluable. But beyond location, Cuba holds untapped commodity potential and geopolitical leverage that continues to attract global powers and keeps the United States deeply interested, even after decades of strained relations.


Cuba’s location is its greatest asset. Positioned between North and South America, it effectively overlooks one of the busiest maritime corridors in the world. Nearly 30% of global maritime trade passes through nearby routes connected to the Panama Canal and Gulf of Mexico energy hubs

Control or influence over Cuba provides a vantage point over: U.S. Gulf Coast oil exports Latin American trade routes Atlantic–Pacific shipping flows Presence of the Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, controlled by the United States since 1903, underscores this importance. It serves as a forward military and logistical outpost, allowing rapid deployment across the Caribbean and beyond.

From a geopolitical lens, any rival power gaining influence in Cuba whether Russia or China raises immediate concerns in Washington. This is not theoretical; history has already shown how critical Cuba can be during events like the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the world came closest to nuclear war.



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30-03-2026

Cuba produces roughly 120,000 - 130,000 tonnes of nickel annually, often in partnership with foreign firms. Nickel and cobalt are crucial for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, placing Cuba in a strategic position within the global energy transition. Additionally, geological surveys suggest offshore oil reserves in Cuba’s Exclusive Economic Zone could hold up to 5 to 9 billion barrels, although development has been slow due to sanctions and lack of advanced drilling technology. In a world increasingly defined by critical minerals, Cuba’s resource base gives it leverage far beyond its economic size.

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30-03-2026

Nickel is exhibiting strong bullish momentum on the weekly timeframe. The price action suggests a solid accumulation zone near the primary support levels, with a clear path toward the overhead resistance.
Strategy: Buy on Retracement (Buy near Support)
Target: 1750+ (A breakout above this level could lead to further upside).
Entry Zone: Accumulate near the 1600 – 1550 range for an optimal risk-to-reward ratio.
Key Support Levels: 1600 and 1480.
Key Resistance Level: 1750.
Stop-Loss (SL): Maintain a strict stop-loss below 1480 on a closing basis to protect against a trend reversal.

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30-03-2026

                                                                                  Conclusion

Cuba is not just another developing economy it is a geopolitical pivot point. Its location at the heart of global shipping lanes, combined with its reserves of critical minerals like nickel and cobalt, gives it disproportionate importance in a rapidly evolving global order. For the United States, Cuba represents a mix of risk and opportunity. Left outside its sphere, it could become a foothold for rival powers just miles from its shores. Integrated economically, it could transform into a valuable partner in trade, energy, and supply chains.

In the coming decade, as competition for geography, resources, and influence intensifies, Cuba will remain one of the most strategically significant islands in the world quietly shaping the balance of power in the Western Hemisphere.

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