In a controversial statement, President Donald Trump announced that his administration plans to embark on what he termed a "friendly and controlled" takeover of Cuba. This statement reportedly emerged during an interaction with journalists at the White House.
The news, first reported by correspondent David Alandete, was shared on his profile on X, where he quoted Trump's exact words regarding the "friendly and controlled" approach towards the island nation.
According to these reports, the President's description hints at a strategic and diplomatic initiative, though the precise details and implications of this plan remain undisclosed to the public.
Adding to the narrative, journalist Juan Esteban Silva shared on X that Trump personally addressed him, characterizing Cuba as a "failed state." In his post, Silva noted that Trump criticized the island for "misbehaving," lacking "money or oil," and emphasized that they are in dire need of American assistance.
Silva further mentioned that Trump stated Secretary of State Marco Rubio is engaged in high-level discussions with the Cuban regime. Additionally, Trump is quoted as saying he has been hearing about Cuba since childhood and reiterated his intent for a "friendly takeover."
Expanding on the story, ABC reported that these remarks were made just before Trump left the White House, where he reiterated the view of Cuba as a "failed nation" in desperate need of resources, stating, "They have no money, no oil, no food." He added that the Cuban government is currently in talks with the United States amid a "very serious situation."
The President stressed that Secretary Rubio is handling the situation at the highest level, confirming ongoing communications between his administration and the Cuban government in locations such as Mexico and recently in St. Kitts in the Caribbean, during a time of heightened bilateral tension.
These comments come shortly after a violent incident in the waters near the island. On Wednesday, Cuban forces opened fire on a speedboat registered in Florida, which Havana claims was attempting to infiltrate the country. The altercation resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including an American citizen, and injured six others. Both Washington and the Cuban government have announced separate investigations into the matter.
An American official cited by ABC stated that at least two of the boat's occupants were U.S. citizens: one was killed and another wounded, the latter receiving medical treatment in Cuba. The boat owner contended that the vessel was stolen by an employee. Cuban authorities argued that the boat carried ten armed men, all Cuban residents in the United States, who allegedly planned a "terrorist infiltration."
The Ministry of the Interior reported that the speedboat was intercepted just a nautical mile from Cayo Falcones on the northern coast, where they recovered assault rifles, pistols, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, and telescopic sights.
Trump's remarks also coincide with a secretive meeting between U.S. officials close to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, a significant figure within the Cuban power structure, held on the sidelines of the CARICOM leaders' summit in the Caribbean.
According to multiple sources with knowledge of the discussions, cited by the Miami Herald, this meeting occurred at a hotel near the venue of the 50th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
Moreover, the Trump administration's recent decision to ease fuel shipments to Cuba's budding private sector is part of a broader strategy aimed at making the island increasingly reliant on U.S. supplies. The objective is to enhance Washington's influence over potential political and economic transformations in Cuba. Sources familiar with the plan indicated that the White House seeks to leverage fuel access as a pressure and negotiation tool amidst the island's severe energy crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S.-Cuba Relations
What does Trump mean by a "friendly and controlled" takeover of Cuba?
President Trump referred to a diplomatic and strategic initiative towards Cuba, though specific details of this plan have not been publicly disclosed.
What was the recent incident involving a speedboat near Cuba?
Cuban forces fired on a Florida-registered speedboat that they claimed was attempting to infiltrate the country, resulting in four deaths, including an American, and six injuries. Both U.S. and Cuban authorities have launched investigations.
Why is the U.S. easing fuel shipments to Cuba?
The easing of fuel shipments is part of a broader U.S. strategy to increase its influence over Cuba by making the island more dependent on American supplies, amid its ongoing energy crisis.