During a speech at the FII Priority Summit at the Faena Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, former President Donald Trump expressed that Cuba is now a priority for his administration.
In a video shared by Sputnik, Trump declared, "I built this tremendous military. I said I would never have to use it, but sometimes you must. And Cuba is next, by the way, but pretend I didn’t say that, please."
With a hint of irony, Trump quickly added, "Let's just act like I didn’t mention it, please. Please, please, please, media, ignore that statement. Thank you very much. Cuba is next."
The FII Priority Miami 2026 event, held from March 25 to 27 under the theme "Capital in Motion," brought together over 1,500 participants, including business leaders, investors, and global policymakers, backed by the Saudi sovereign fund.
Heightened Pressure on Cuba's Regime
Trump's comments come amid increased pressure on the Cuban government since the onset of his second term. The same day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the conditions for any potential agreement with Havana: "Their economy needs to change, and it can't unless their government system changes. Who will invest billions in a communist country run by incompetent communists? Therefore, their government has to change."
Rubio further warned, "Any report on Cuba not from me or the president is a lie because we are the only ones working on this," hinting at ongoing negotiations between Washington and Havana. Journalist Daugherty accompanied the video with the remark, "Marco Rubio is negotiating behind the scenes."
Trump's Previous Statements on Cuba
This isn't the first time Trump has made such remarks. On March 16, he told reporters, "I think I'll have the honor of taking Cuba. Taking Cuba. I mean, if I free it, I take it. I think I can do whatever I want with it." However, he had previously dismissed direct military actions, responding "That’s not going to happen" to questions about operations on the island.
The Dire Situation in Cuba
These statements are made against a backdrop of severe hardship for the Cuban people. The capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3 during "Operation Absolute Resolution" cut off the supply of 25,000 to 35,000 barrels of Venezuelan oil daily to the island. Additionally, Mexico halted fuel shipments on January 9 due to U.S. pressure.
Cuba is enduring power outages lasting up to 20 to 30 hours daily, with an electricity generation deficit exceeding 2,000 MW. The Cuban GDP has fallen by 23% since 2019, with a further 7.2% contraction projected by 2026. About 80% of Cubans believe the current crisis is worse than the Special Period of the 1990s.
Amidst this situation, Díaz-Canel dismissed any changes to the political system in an interview with the Mexican newspaper La Jornada, asserting that his position "is not negotiable" and proposing a model with "centralized planning and market mechanisms" inspired by China and Vietnam.
On the same day, Democratic Congress members Gregory Meeks and Pramila Jayapal introduced the "Preventing an Unconstitutional War in Cuba Act" to block federal funding for military actions against the island until December 31, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Policy on Cuba
What did Trump say about using the military in Cuba?
Trump suggested that sometimes it's necessary to use military power and hinted that Cuba might be next, although he asked the media to ignore his statement.
What are the current conditions in Cuba?
Cuba is facing severe economic challenges, including extensive power outages and a significant drop in GDP. The situation is considered worse than the Special Period of the 1990s.
What is the "Preventing an Unconstitutional War in Cuba Act"?
This act, introduced by Democrats Gregory Meeks and Pramila Jayapal, aims to prevent the use of federal funds for military actions against Cuba until the end of 2026.