During the "Shield of the Americas" Summit held on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that his administration is prepared to "address the situation in Cuba," suggesting that the country's regime is in its "final moments" due to a lack of financial resources, oil, and international backing.
Speaking at the summit's opening in Miami, Trump emphasized that Cuba's political system is experiencing a terminal crisis. He argued that the country's current state highlights the exhaustion of the model that has governed the island for decades.
"Cuba is at the end of the line, truly at the end of the line. They're out of money, out of oil. They embrace a flawed ideology. They have a bad regime that's been detrimental for a long time," Trump stated to an audience of nearly 15 Latin American leaders.
Trump further remarked, "Cuba is in its final moments as it has been known. It will experience a grand new beginning, but as it stands, it's reaching its end."
In a light-hearted moment, Trump joked with Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the possibility of him negotiating with the Cuban government. "Maybe take an hour off, and then you'll finish a deal with Cuba. That'll be an easy one," he quipped.
The president also mentioned that several leaders at the summit had urged him to take action regarding Cuba. "Many of you have come up today and said, 'We hope you can take care of Cuba.' Four of you even asked, 'Could you do us a favor and handle Cuba?'" he recounted. "I will handle that, okay," he agreed.
Trump pointed out that the island's economic woes worsened following the loss of Venezuelan support. He noted that Havana had long relied on oil and financial resources from Caracas, but now "they have no money from Venezuela, no oil, nothing."
The White House leader also mentioned that the Cuban government is interested in negotiating with Washington. "They want to negotiate. They're negotiating with Marco, myself, and some others," he stated.
Trump added that he believes reaching an agreement with Havana could be relatively straightforward. "I think a deal with Cuba could be achieved very easily," he said, reiterating that the island's current political system is in its final phase.
The comments came during the "Shield of the Americas" Summit, convened by Trump at the Trump National Doral in Miami, focused on regional security, irregular migration, and the influence of actors like China, Iran, and Cuba in the Western Hemisphere.
Among the attendees were President Javier Milei of Argentina, Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, and Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, as well as other regional leaders aligned with Washington's agenda.
Understanding the Implications of Trump's Statements on Cuba
What is the "Shield of the Americas" Summit?
The "Shield of the Americas" Summit is a meeting convened by President Trump in Miami, focusing on regional security, irregular migration, and the influence of countries like China, Iran, and Cuba in the Western Hemisphere.
Why did Trump claim Cuba is in its final moments?
Trump suggested that Cuba is in its final moments due to a lack of financial resources, oil, and international support, exacerbated by the loss of backing from Venezuela.
What was the reaction of other leaders to Trump's stance on Cuba?
Several leaders present at the summit reportedly encouraged Trump to address the situation in Cuba, with some directly requesting his involvement in resolving the issue.