Tim Padgett

Venezuela's first World Baseball Classic title win, against the U.S. in Miami, inevitably packed political symbolism - but it radiated a more important reminder of the country's character. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

Venezuela's yanqui-beating baseball triumph evokes politics — and yet something else more vital. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

Trump's military Shield distracts Latin America -again - from more urgent police reform. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

President Trump's Shield of the Americas agenda to militarize hemispheric crime-fighting risks diminishing crucial efforts to build better police in Latin America and the Caribbean. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

Trump's military Shield distracts Latin America — again — from more urgent police reform. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

To dislodge Cuba's regime, Cuba's exiles could try being diplomats — not demagogues. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

Cuban regime change may take more time and effort than expected - meaning #Cuban exile leaders like Congressman Carlos Gimenez shouldn't alienate potential partners like #Jamaica. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

@arthur_freyre @JasonPoblete Thanks very much for sharing your article. I was struck by your point that regime change does necessitate some nation-building commitment, and that "any future U.S. program must aim to cultivate a culture of trust in Cuba." Again, thanks for improving the discussion.

@JasonPoblete @TimPadgett2 Here is what I wrote about Cuba back in January 2026. linkedin.com/pulse/legacy-t…

Interesting op-ed by @TimPadgett2 on US/Cuba relations, "To dislodge Cuba's regime, Cuba's exiles could try being diplomats - not demagogues." Read and draw your own conclusions. wlrn.org/commentary/202… My initial reaction: The Cuban diaspora’s success does not erase the unresolved injuries of confiscation, imprisonment, exile, and decades of impunity. The unspoken truth that most policymakers today (Rs and Ds) refuse to discuss: Any transition or talks with Cuba and the Diaspora that ask people to 'forgive and forget' are not a transition; they are a reset button for injustice. At the same time, the way forward will be negotiated in today’s Cuba, not the Cuba that was, so practicality has to sit alongside truth-telling, accountability, and restitution. There is a legal framework for most of this, but we need more: political will and moral courage.

To dislodge #Cuba's regime, Cuba's exiles could try being diplomats - not demagogues. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

@JasonPoblete Thanks for your very thoughtful response; you make a lot of strong points. Much appreciated.

The U.S. is great at designating criminal groups as terrorists - but it's a hypocritical failure at preventing the trafficking of guns that aids those terrorists, including Mexico's narco-cartels. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

Should the U.S. boast about facing down terrorists — or apologize for arming them up? My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

'We are necessary': #Cuba's capitalists rise to Rubio's call for economic freedom. Our @WLRN report.wlrn.org/americas/2026-…

Marco and Miami, Donald and Doral: They've got big disconnects on Cuba, Venezuela — and China wlrn.org/commentary/202…

Marco and Miami, Donald and Doral: They've got big disconnects on Cuba, Venezuela — and China. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

Trump and Rubio seem to have tuned out Venezuelan and Cuban exile leaders - and their own rhetoric about blocking China's influence in the Americas. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

Marco and Miami, Donald and Doral: They've got big disconnects on Cuba, Venezuela - and China. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

Havana and Miami have the same message for Cubans on the island: You'll have to accept even more pain. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

As the U.S. cuts off oil to Cuba, Havana's communist regime and Miami's exile leadership remain locked in a zero-sum mindset that risks greater humanitarian catastrophe on the island. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…

Havana and Miami have the same message for Cubans on the island: Accept even more pain. My @WLRN commentary.wlrn.org/commentary/202…