Cuban actor Armando Tomey took to Instagram this Friday to express his sharp criticism of Donald Trump, accusing the former president of significant failures in his foreign and immigration policies.
"Let's be clear, folks: Donald Trump is making huge blunders. He's now kowtowing to the Russians while blaming Ukraine," Tomey begins bluntly in the video.
Residing in Port St. Lucie, Florida, since emigrating from Cuba in 2013, Tomey outlines various decisions by the Trump administration that he believes betray promises made to the Cuban exile community.
Energy Policy Under Fire
Tomey targets Trump's energy policies, pointing out that the former president signed deals with Iran and the Venezuelan government under Delcy Rodríguez, effectively aiding regimes that Washington claimed to oppose.
"The oil prices, due to the mess Trump created in Iran and halfway measures in Venezuela, are perpetuating a murderous dictatorship because it serves his interests," Tomey argues.
In June 2026, Trump signed a memorandum with Iran that temporarily lifted oil sanctions, followed by a controversial agreement in August with Venezuela granting the U.S. majority control over 17 Venezuelan oil fields.
These agreements sparked discontent among exiles who anticipated a harder line approach.
Geopolitical Concerns
Tomey also criticizes Trump's recent "energy truce" announcement between Russia and Ukraine, a move unacknowledged by Moscow and failing to halt the bombardments. Additionally, Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of being the main impediment to peace.
Disappointment Over Cuban Policy
Regarding Cuba, Tomey is especially critical. "He raised hopes among Cubans for freedom but left them hanging. He always promises, but does nothing or complicates everything," he says.
This frustration stems from a specific context: after the U.S. captured Nicolás Maduro in January 2026, many exiles anticipated similar action against the Cuban regime.
Trump fueled these expectations in June by suggesting Cuba was "within reach," but in September, he dismissed military intervention in favor of negotiation, causing disappointment among Cuban exiles in Miami.
Immigration Policy Critique
Tomey condemns the mass deportations under Trump's administration, arguing that they primarily affect hardworking individuals rather than criminals.
"For every criminal deported, there are 20 hardworking people who come here to progress and support their families being sent back," he asserts.
According to Human Rights Watch, by August 2026, about 8,500 Cubans had been deported during Trump's second term, many holding valid work permits after the humanitarian CHNV program was canceled.
Warning of a Potential Agreement with Cuba
The video concludes with Tomey's warning: a minimal agreement between Trump and Havana might solidify the regime's power.
"I'm convinced that if Díaz-Canel persuades Raúl and the ruling mafia in Cuba to accept just a few things from Trump, they will be entrenched in power indefinitely," he concludes.
This isn't the first time Tomey has spoken out about Cuba from exile. In July, he criticized Díaz-Canel's comments on the "Cuban utopia" in a Russian TV interview, and in August, he urged Cubans to resist peacefully.
The video quickly garnered over 3,600 reactions and nearly 860 comments just hours after being posted, at a time when exile organizations had already staged protests outside the White House demanding "actions, not words" from the Trump administration on Cuba.
Questions and Answers on Armando Tomey's Critique of Trump
What were Armando Tomey's main criticisms of Donald Trump?
Tomey criticized Trump's foreign policy, specifically his dealings with Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, as well as his immigration policies that led to mass deportations of hardworking individuals.
How did Trump's agreements with Iran and Venezuela affect Cuban exiles?
The agreements were seen as contradicting his promises to the Cuban exile community, as they were perceived to support regimes that the U.S. claimed to oppose.
What was Tomey's view on Trump's approach to Cuba?
Tomey was disappointed with Trump's shift from military intervention to negotiation, which he believed dashed hopes for change among Cuban exiles.