The United States is not looking at imminent military action against Havana, despite President Donald Trump's repeated threats that 'Cuba is next', US officials say. The officials involved in preliminary discussions with Cuban authorities also told The Associated Press that they are not optimistic the communist government will accept an offer for tens of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid, two years of free Starlink internet access for all Cubans, agricultural assistance and infrastructure support.

The Treasury and State departments announced new sanctions on Havana on Thursday, after Mr. Trump signed an executive order last week expanding the administration's authority to impose penalties on Cuba. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez described the measures as 'collective punishment' and denounced the U.S. government's 'genocidal intent against Cuba'.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said repeatedly that the country's government has failed, and that Cuba's economic model doesn't work. He is visiting Rome and Vatican City, meeting Pope Leo XIV on Thursday to discuss Cuba, where the Catholic Church has significant influence.

The United States sees a national security threat in what officials call increasing influence on the island by China and Russia, including intelligence and logistics cooperation. The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about military action in Cuba.

The US and Cuba have increased contacts, including a meeting earlier this year in the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis between Rubio and Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, who is believed to carry significant influence in Havana. The US officials say there is still time for the Cuban government to accept the US offer, and that the door has not closed to dialogue that could help both countries.