U.S. President Donald Trump once again mentioned Cuba in his speech on Wednesday, suggesting that the island nation "is moving into our orbit." This statement sparked a wave of skepticism among Cubans both on the island and abroad, many of whom are weary of hearing promises without seeing tangible changes.
Trump made this assertion during the opening ceremony of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, as he reflected on the Spanish-American War of 1898 and Roosevelt's role in the Battle of San Juan Hill.
"Shortly after giving up control of Cuba, Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico, they all became ours. And speaking of Cuba, after many, many decades, it's coming to us, coming to us," Trump declared, as reported by EFE News Agency.
The president did not clarify what he meant by this alleged rapprochement or announce any new measures related to the island.
Social Media Reactions Highlight Doubt
Nevertheless, his words prompted a swift reaction on social media, where skepticism was prevalent. Many users recalled that Trump has been making similar statements for months without the political change that many Cubans anticipated.
"Just empty promises! Enough with the rhetoric," one commentator expressed. Another stated, "He should stop with the talk; he's been promising the same since January." A third mocked, "For the 12th season of this series, Cuba is still coming."
Comparisons to Cuban Government Rhetoric
Others connected Trump's remarks with the daily realities in Cuba. "Yes, we can see it. There are places with 90-hour blackouts," a user noted. "Blah, blah... and meanwhile, we're still in hell," another summarized.
Some compared Trump's speech to the rhetoric of the Cuban regime itself. "He's like Díaz-Canel: lots of talk and few results," one user commented, while another labeled his statements as "electioneering rhetoric."
Political Promises Versus Ground Realities
The disbelief reflects the fatigue caused by months of similar messages. Since the beginning of the year, Trump has repeatedly claimed that Cuba is a priority in his hemisphere policy and hinted that once other international issues are addressed, the island will be among his next targets.
Simultaneously, his administration has consistently increased pressure on Havana through sanctions targeting senior officials, state-owned companies, and strategic sectors like energy, measures that have coincided with the worsening economic crisis and prolonged power outages in the country.
From Havana, Miguel Díaz-Canel has consistently rejected this policy, insisting that "Trump does not rule Cuba, nor does the U.S. government rule Cuba. Cuba is sovereign."
Among the numerous reactions to Trump's speech, one captured the sentiment of many Cubans: "These aren't siren songs; they're the chatter of parrots, chattering every day," a user wrote, highlighting the growing gap between the expectations generated by such statements and the reality that the Cuban population continues to endure.
Cuban Sentiment and International Politics
Why are Cubans skeptical of Trump's remarks?
Cubans are skeptical because they have repeatedly heard similar promises from Trump without witnessing the political changes many have hoped for. This has led to a sense of fatigue and disbelief among the population.
What has been the impact of U.S. sanctions on Cuba?
The U.S. sanctions have targeted senior officials, state-owned enterprises, and strategic sectors like energy, exacerbating the economic crisis and leading to prolonged blackouts affecting the island.
How has the Cuban government responded to Trump's policies?
The Cuban government, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel, has consistently rejected Trump's policies, asserting that Cuba remains sovereign and not under U.S. control.