US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Cuba, declaring he could do “anything I want” with the island nation, even as both countries engage in fragile talks to ease relations.
The remarks come at a time of deepening crisis in Cuba, where a severe energy shortage and nationwide blackout have exposed the country’s worsening economic situation.
“I do believe I’ll be … having the honor of taking Cuba. That’s a big honor. Taking Cuba in some form,” Trump told reporters as the island struggles under an unprecedented economic downturn.
“I mean, whether I free it, take it. Think I can do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth,” he added during a signing event in the Oval Office.
The comments mark a sharp escalation in rhetoric, particularly as Washington and Havana have opened discussions aimed at improving strained relations that date back decades.
According to reports, removing Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel is a key US objective in the ongoing talks, a demand likely to face resistance from Havana, which has long rejected external interference in its internal affairs.
Diaz-Canel, who took office in 2018 following the leadership of Fidel Castro and Raul Castro, has insisted that any negotiations must respect Cuba’s sovereignty and political system.
Meanwhile, US pressure has intensified through economic measures. Following the removal of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a key ally of Cuba, Washington halted oil shipments to the island, worsening fuel shortages and contributing to widespread power outages.
The situation has pushed Cuba into one of its most severe crises in decades, with electricity rationing, economic paralysis, and growing public hardship.
Despite the diplomatic engagement, Trump has suggested that action on Cuba may follow US operations elsewhere, stating: ‘”We’re talking to Cuba, but we’re going to do Iran before Cuba.”
His remarks contrast with longstanding US policy commitments, including a pledge not to invade Cuba following the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.
The White House has yet to outline any legal basis for potential intervention, and Cuban authorities have not officially responded to Trump’s latest statements.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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