The US Puts Pressure on Cuba

May 15, 2026, 21:45
InternationalPolitics

Introduction

The US government wants Cuba to change its laws and politics. The US is using money and laws to make this happen.

Main Body

The US stops oil from going to Cuba. Now Cuba has no power and people are angry. A US leader went to Cuba. He said Cuba must change its system first. The US government wants to put former President Raúl Castro in jail. He is in trouble for a problem with planes in 1996. Some people think this makes the Cuban leaders scared. Some US leaders want a new government in Cuba. Other leaders just want to sell US products there. Cuba says the US is the problem. Some experts fear many people will leave Cuba if the country fails.

Conclusion

The situation is dangerous. The US uses sanctions and threats, but they still talk to Cuba.

Learning

The 'Want' Pattern

In this text, we see a very useful word: want. It is used to show a goal or a desire. To reach A2, you need to know how to connect want to other actions.

The Secret Formula: Person →\rightarrow want →\rightarrow to →\rightarrow action

Examples from the story:

  • The US government →\rightarrow wants to change laws.
  • Leaders →\rightarrow want to sell products.

Quick Note on Changes: If the person is one entity (The US government / A leader), we add an -s:

  • He wants...
  • The government wants...

If the people are many (Leaders / They), we use the base word:

  • Leaders want...
  • They want...

Vocabulary Learning

government (n.)
the group of people who run a country
Example:The government will decide new rules.
change (v.)
to make something different
Example:She wants to change her job.
laws (n.)
rules that people must follow
Example:The laws say you must wear a seatbelt.
politics (n.)
the activities related to running a country
Example:He studies politics at university.
money (n.)
paper or coins used to buy things
Example:She saved money for a trip.
oil (n.)
a liquid used for fuel
Example:The car needs oil.
power (n.)
the ability to do something or control
Example:The power is turned off.
angry (adj.)
feeling upset or mad
Example:He was angry because he lost his keys.
leader (n.)
a person who guides or directs others
Example:The leader spoke to the team.
system (n.)
a set of connected parts that work together
Example:The computer system crashed.
former (adj.)
someone who had a role before
Example:He is a former teacher.
jail (n.)
a place where people are kept as punishment
Example:He was sent to jail.
trouble (n.)
a difficult or bad situation
Example:She was in trouble for breaking the rule.
problem (n.)
a question or difficulty to solve
Example:We need to solve this problem.
planes (n.)
aircraft that fly in the sky
Example:The planes left at noon.
think (v.)
to use your mind to form an idea
Example:I think it will rain.
scared (adj.)
feeling fear or nervous
Example:She was scared by the thunder.
new (adj.)
recently made or discovered
Example:They bought a new car.
products (n.)
things that are made to sell
Example:The store sells many products.
expert (n.)
a person who knows a lot about something
Example:She is an expert in math.
fear (v.)
to feel afraid
Example:I fear the dark.
leave (v.)
to go away from a place
Example:They will leave at sunset.
country (n.)
a nation with its own government
Example:Canada is a country.
fails (v.)
to not succeed
Example:The project fails if we don't plan.
dangerous (adj.)
capable of causing harm
Example:The road is dangerous at night.
sanctions (n.)
penalties or restrictions imposed by a government
Example:The sanctions were lifted.
threats (n.)
something that may cause harm
Example:The threats were taken seriously.
talk (v.)
to speak with someone
Example:We talk every day.