What is Donald Trump looking for in Cuba?

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Chicago Tribune Opinion Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Good morning, Chicago. The White House signaled last week that it wants to push out Cuba's communist regime after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that would institute tariffs on any country that sells or supplies oil to Cuba. What is the Trump administration looking for? Columnist Daniel DePetris is wondering along with the rest of us. "While Trump may not busy himself with democracy promotion, it's hard to believe the Cubans will be as amenable to U.S. subjugation as their former Venezuelan allies have been so far," DePetris writes in his column today. Also in commentary, a Chicago Public Schools' civics teacher writes about a new federal school voucher program and encourages Illinois to wait for all the facts before deciding whether to join or bypass the initiative. And a sociologist defends her field against right wing attacks. The Tribune Editorial Board met in-person with several of the 15 Democrats running for Rep. Jan Schakowsky's seat in Illinois' 9th Congressional district and gave its endorsement in that race and the Republican primary. Read it below and learn which candidate sent a surrogate to the board's meeting. Thanks for reading, we will be back tomorrow. — Grace Miserocchi, opinion editor Submit an op-ed | Submit a letter to the editor | Meet the Tribune Editorial Board | Subscribe to this newsletter Daniel DePetris: What kind of deal is the US looking for in Cuba? Donald Trump insists the Cuban government will fall on its own volition yet also says the US is now talking to high-level Cuban officials. Read more → Froylan Jimenez: Illinois shouldn't rush to judgment on federal school voucher program Illinois is in dire need for more educational funding, but should do its homework on the federal tax-credit scholarship program. Read more → Wendy Nelson Espeland: Sociology is taking it on the chin. Here's how we can preserve it. Many parents have asked the timeless question: "What do you do with a degree in sociology?" Read more → Editorial: Laura Fine for Democratic nomination in 9th Congressional District The Tribune editorial board endorses state Sen. Laura Fine in the race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Read more → Letters: Greater transparency around the Chicago police's homicide clearance rate is essential Greater data transparency around clearance rates isn't only about justice. It's also about public safety and disrupting cycles of violence. Read more → Tribune Editorial Board endorsements for 2026 Illinois primary election In the 2026 primaries, the Tribune Editorial Board endeavors to help both Republican and Democratic Party-affiliated readers make their best choices. Read more →

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