Cuba's independence on May 20, 1902, isn't celebrated by its socialist government. The date is linked to the Platt Agreement, which allowed U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs. Cuban President

May 20, 1902, is recognized as the official birth of the Republic of Cuba after centuries of Spanish rule (1511–1898) and a U.S. military occupation (1899–1902) that paved the way for its transition to a sovereign state.

President Trump on Wednesday commemorated Cuban Independence Day while also slamming the island country’s regime, the same day his administration indicted former President Raúl Castro on murder charges.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a video message to Cubans on Wednesday that the U.S. is “ready to open a new chapter in the relationship between our people and our countries. And, currently, the only thing standing in the way of a

The United States government has offered the Cuban people a new relationship and $100 million in food and medical aid, while placing the blame for the island’s severe economic hardships directly on its military leaders.

Good morning and welcome to Wednesday. It’s Cuba Independence Day, and all eyes are on Miami with the expectation of an announcement today that could further escalate tensions with the island. The Department of Justice is set to hold a ceremony and press conference at 1 p.m. at the Freedom Tower downtown honoring the four men killed in 1996 in the Brothers to the Rescue shootdown. “We are going to get that solved,” President DONALD TRUMP told reporters in Washington Tuesday when asked about Cuba relations. “That’s not going to be hard for us to solve.” A key question is whether the solution Trump has in mind escalates to military action against a nation just 90 miles from Key West. POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi reported this week that the Trump administration has become more willing to carry out military strikes against Cuba, given that its diplomacy efforts, oil restrictions and sanctions haven’t pushed Cuban leaders to make political and economic concessions such as privatizing state assets or giving Cubans better internet access. Beyond the potential military fallout are the political stakes as the administration thinks through how news of action in Cuba might be received outside of South Florida — particularly given low approval ratings for the president and the unpopularity of the war in Iran. DeSantis has additionally said he wants to see Cuban exiles return to help rebuild the island and predicted it could become “very successful.” Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: [email protected] and @leonardkl. OUT OF BUDGET — State legislators have scrapped plans to steer taxpayer money to a nonprofit organization whose name surfaced in the House probe against former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. POLITICO previously reported that Republicans in the state House and Senate had requested money for a tablet program that would go to a foundation led by Freddie Figgers, a telecommunications executive from Broward County with ties to DeSantis. A January report from the Office of Congressional Conduct showed that questions were raised in connection to a similar tablet program that had previously received federal funding. When asked last week, top health care budget negotiators in the House and Senate said they were unaware the tablet program had been scrutinized by congressional investigators. TOO DRY — “A fireworks ban may be coming,” reports James Call of the Tallahassee Democrat. “Here’s why: Wildfires are burning the pine forests outside of Hosford in the Panhandle and scorching the sawgrass wetlands of the Everglades at Homestead 550 miles south. “Wind and drought have turned what are usually scattered spring brushfires into flaring blazes in every region of the state. And as drought conditions are predicted through August, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said conditions may require a fireworks ban during the Independence Day weekend.” — “Roger Goodell says the NFL is cooperating with the Florida AG after receiving subpoena,” reports of The Associated Press. — “Biologist fired over Kirk post gets cash payout,” reports Jim Saunders of State Affairs. COVER STORY — DeSantis’ interview with Cigar Aficionado, written by David Savona, has hit newsstands. DISMISSED FOR NOW — A federal judge last week dismissed a free speech lawsuit leveled against Florida International University by four students disciplined over alleged antisemitic and threatening messages in a group chat. But the case is far from over. While U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga ruled in favor of FIU, she also acknowledged the students, two of which have already been suspended for two years, appear to have standing in their First Amendment challenge. Altonaga ultimately determined the federal court should stay out of the dispute as the school’s disciplinary process plays out — meaning the sides could be back in court soon. TOP CAST MEMBER — “Joe Schott, a 40-year veteran cast member and longtime executive at Walt Disney Co., will be the next president of Walt Disney World, the company announced Monday,” reports Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel. “Schott’s most recent role has been president of Disney Signature Experiences, the division that includes Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, Aulani, the company’s resort in Hawaii, and other entities. … Walt Disney World, which has about 80,000 employees, is in the midst of expansion mode with new lands under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, which is considered the world’s most visited theme park annually.” — “UF interim president expected to get $2 million payout,” reports Garrett Shanley of the Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau. — “From closures to cuts, Leon and Florida ‘public schools in crisis,’” by Alaijah Cross and John Pacenti of the Tallahassee Democrat. NEW YORK SPEECH — DeSantis on Tuesday night urged New York Republicans to go bold on policy in a speech before the state GOP, at first joking about how New Yorkers were moving to Florida before changing his tone and charging them to take risks. “You should not be happy to have people hightailing out of here at record rates, because they don’t want to deal with some imbecile governor or mayor, whoever they decide to put up there,” DeSantis said at the New York Republicans’ annual gala at the Plaza in Manhattan. “You have an opportunity to think about 250 years. Are we happy with this? Are we going to do our best to keep, rejuvenate and preserve this state — and in the process help the United States?” He pointed to how he’d won in 2018 by narrow margins before getting easily reelected in 2022, and credited that shift to how he decided “to lead, not to follow” and rejected advice not to “rock the boat.” “I think the state of Florida is better when great cities like New York do well, and Los Angeles, and some of these places,” he said. “I don’t take any glee in seeing some of the missteps that have happened over the years, but ultimately it’s up to us. Are we going to do what it takes to do it?” He continued: “So people are going to say it can’t be done. I’m going to tell you, the state is ripe for change. We’ve seen how it’s not worked in all these other places. So I wish you guys all the best.” — “Democrats to pump resources into keeping Soto’s imperiled Orlando-area seat,” reports Annie Martin of the Orlando Sentinel. — “The evangelical primary has already started. Rubio has the early edge on Vance,” reports POLITICO’s Megan Messerly. — “Black leaders turn to collegiate sports in fight over Southern representation,” by POLITICO’s Cheyanne M. Daniels and Gregory Svirnovskiy. FILLING IN — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has tapped Stephanie Haridopolos, a federal health official, to carry out the responsibilities of the surgeon general — a role that has remained empty throughout Trump’s second term. In an email sent Tuesday to Department of Health and Human Services staff, and sent to POLITICO by HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon, Kennedy announced Haridopolos, who already works in the surgeon general’s office, would take on the duties. — POLTICO’s Amanda Friedman NOT CARTE BLANCHE — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Tuesday that the Justice Department, under his leadership, would not recommend a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, the only convicted co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein now serving 20 years in prison for her part in the sex trafficking scheme. “I can commit to that, of course,” he said in response to a question from Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing.