The White House stated on February 18, 2026, between 5:45 PM and 8:45 PM UTC that the Cuban regime is falling and its country is collapsing, urging it to implement drastic changes soon for the interest of a free democracy, according to a post by agusan tonetti on X. Separately, Mike Hammer told Cubans in Spain and Europe that change in Cuba will happen, as posted by MagJorgeCastro on X during this 3-hour window. The White House comment emphasizes U.S. interest in Cuba becoming a truly free democracy amid the regime's collapse, posted by agusan tonetti. Concurrently, Mike Hammer, during a meeting with Cubans in Spain and the rest of Europe, declared change in Cuba is inevitable, according to MagJorgeCastro. Another post by alandete noted the situation in Cuba is moving very fast. These statements follow earlier reports of HolguĂn Airport collapse stranding Canadian tourists and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's discussions with RaĂșl Guillermo RodrĂguez Castro, as covered in prior reporting from 2:46 PM to 5:16 PM UTC on the same day.
