Trump Revives Idea of Military Intervention in Cuba

During a rally for candidates in South Florida, former President Donald Trump revived a proposal for U.S. military intervention in Cuba. Trump suggested that American warships returning from Iran could stop in Cuba on their way back, a concept he had previously floated.

The former president's remarks came in response to a question from the crowd about Cuba. Trump stated, "We’ll do a little stopover." He elaborated, "Actually, what we’re going to do with Cuba is, we’re going to come back from Iran. Those beautiful ships will pass Cuba. We’ll have one of them stop about 50 yards off the coast. They’ll raise up their hands. And then we’re going to send (Secretary of State) Marco Rubio in to finish up the deal."

Trump had previously suggested that Cuba would "be next" for intervention following the winding down of the Iran war, a conflict he has long forecast but which has not yet occurred. In May, both Trump and Senator Marco Rubio raised the possibility of U.S. military intervention in Cuba, a threat that gained attention after the administration announced criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. At that time, Trump told reporters that previous U.S. presidents had considered intervention in Cuba for decades, but "it looks like I’ll be the one that does it."

Senator Rubio, speaking separately, has characterized Cuba as a national security threat due to its ties with U.S. adversaries. He indicated that Trump was determined to address the situation. While stating that the Trump administration sought peaceful resolution of differences with Cuba, Rubio expressed skepticism about achieving a diplomatic outcome with the current Cuban government.

Shortly after Trump's rally remarks, Rubio posted on social media that "now is the time" for action on Cuba, encouraging those seeking change to "seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discrete partnership with the CIA."

In a September interview with Fox News, Rubio commented on Cuba's economic struggles and its government. He stated, "The truth is Cuba has already fallen. It doesn’t have a functional economy and it’s governed by people who continue to preach about some revolution that has been dead for 20 years that’s never worked." He added, "We are hopeful that Cuba will choose a different path... that there will be some people in there that open their eyes to the reality of what they’re facing." Rubio affirmed, "We’re never going to allow Cuba to become a base of operation against American interests or pose a threat to our national security. On that we are abundantly clear."

In recent months, Rubio and other Trump administration officials have engaged in discussions with Cuban officials regarding potential improvements in relations. However, these talks reportedly left the U.S. side unimpressed, contributing to further sanctions against the Cuban government.

During his address to the United Nations General Assembly the previous month, Trump mentioned that Rubio was "deep into negotiations with Cuba" and would "not allow a haven for foreign adversaries to threaten America on our own doorstep."

Days later, Trump told reporters he anticipated that the two countries "will make a deal," adding, "I don’t think we’ll need the military. Cuba is failing very badly."

Earlier in the week, the United States and Cuba had a confrontation at the United Nations. The Trump administration was attempting to garner opposition for a vote condemning Washington's long-standing economic embargo against Havana.

Cuba has been facing significant economic and energy challenges since 2020. Its gross domestic product has contracted, and its population has experienced blackouts, food shortages, and inflation. The country has seen protests, and hundreds of thousands of Cubans have emigrated, with many going to the United States.