President Donald Trump used a regional security summit to declare that Cuba is nearing collapse and announced potential U.S. intervention, while also noting that current conflicts with Iran take precedence.
Trump Declares Cuba “In Its Last Moments”
Speaking at the administration’s inaugural “Shield of the Americas” summit at Trump National Doral Golf Club on Saturday, Trump painted a dire picture of Cuba’s future, threatening that his administration will soon “take care” of the island nation. He stated, “Cuba’s in its last moments of life.”
Trump described Cuba as “very much at the end of the line,” claiming the country “has no money, they have no oil,” and is governed by a “bad regime.” He insisted the United States could quickly engineer a transformation, stating, “A great change is coming to Cuba.”
The president claimed Cuban officials are already negotiating with the U.S., stating, “They want to negotiate, and they are negotiating with Marco and myself and some others.” He also suggested several Latin American leaders at the summit had privately urged him to intervene, recounting, “Four of you said, ‘Actually, could you do us a favor? Take care of Cuba.’” He pledged, “I’ll take care of it.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly finalizing a deal with the island nation, with Trump joking that the diplomatic breakthrough might take about as long as a lunch break. “He’ll take an hour off, and then he’ll finish up a deal on Cuba,” Trump said of Rubio. “That’ll be an easy one.”
“Shield of the Americas” Initiative Launched
The comments came during the launch of the administration’s “Shield of the Americas” initiative, a new regional security coalition designed to combat drug cartels, illegal migration, and hostile foreign influence in the Western Hemisphere.
Trump framed Cuba’s economic crisis as a result of his administration’s pressure campaign. He noted that for decades, Cuba relied heavily on oil shipments and financial support from Venezuela, but that lifeline has weakened following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January.
Trump told Politico on Thursday, “We cut off all oil, all money—or we cut off everything coming in from Venezuela, which was the sole source. And they want to make a deal.” He told assembled leaders that Cuba is negotiating a deal with him and Rubio.
However, Trump acknowledged that the conflict with Iran is currently taking precedence. “Our focus right now is on Iran, and we’ll do that,” he told the summit, asking the leaders, “What will you do?”
At the conclusion of the Summit, the president posed alongside the Latin American leaders for a group signing of a joint declaration related to the initiative.
The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
