Trump Pledges 'Great New Life' for Cuba as Next Target After Iran
Former President Donald Trump, 79, has explicitly stated that Cuba will be the next nation he targets once the ongoing conflict with Iran is resolved. Speaking at the Shield of the Americans Summits in Florida on Saturday, the Republican made clear his intentions toward the Caribbean island, which he described as being "at the end of the line."
Cuba's Dire Situation and Trump's Critique
Trump painted a bleak picture of Cuba's current state, asserting, "They have no money, they have no oil. They have a bad philosophy, they have a bad regime. It's been bad for a long time... As a little boy, I'd be hearing about Cuba. Cuba is a disaster." He promised the island's 11 million citizens a "great new life," claiming the country is currently "in its last moments of life the way it is."
Reports from USA Today corroborate the severity of Cuba's hardships, noting that citizens face fuel shortages and power outages lasting up to 15 hours per day. Historically reliant on Venezuelan oil, Cuba's supply was cut off after a US strike on Venezuela on January 3, where American forces captured President Nicolás Maduro, further exacerbating the energy crisis.
Diplomatic Moves and Potential Deal
Trump revealed that his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is engaged in talks with Cuban officials at a "very high level," suggesting a deal could be "very easily" made. There are also reports that Rubio is negotiating with the grandson of former leader Raúl Castro, indicating behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts.
In a significant policy shift, the Trump Administration allowed US petroleum products to be sold directly to Cuba in late February. This move breaks the longstanding 1960 US embargo, which still prohibits most American exports to the island, marking a strategic step toward making Cuba dependent on American resources.
Recent Tensions and Broader Context
Tensions between the US and Cuba escalated recently when a Cuban Coast Guard member killed four people in a Florida-registered speedboat after it entered Cuban waters. The Cuban Embassy stated that Border Guard Troops confronted the vessel, leading to a shootout where the Cuban commander was injured, and four on the speedboat were killed, with six others injured.
In response, Rubio emphasized, "Cuba needs to change, it needs to change dramatically." However, Trump clarified that Cuba will not be a priority until after the Iranian war concludes, stating, "that's our focus right now."
Iran Conflict and Intelligence Warnings
Trump has vowed to hit Iran "very hard," as detailed in a Truth Social post where he wrote about considering "complete destruction and certain death" for certain areas and groups due to Iran's behavior. This follows a joint US-Israel military operation that eliminated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Iran retaliating by targeting US bases in the Gulf Cooperation Council region.
A leaked report from the National Intelligence Council (NIC), a federal agency that bridges intelligence and policymakers, warned that Trump's military actions could be disastrous. The report, completed just before the strikes, doubted the US's ability to overthrow the Iranian regime, suggesting Iran would likely follow protocols to preserve its structure after Khamenei's death. Succession remains uncertain, with rumors pointing to his son, Mojitaba Khamenei, whom Trump has previously criticized as "incompetent" and a "lightweight."
Looking Ahead
While President Miguel Diaz-Canel has promised reforms in Cuba, past efforts have shown little progress. As Trump sets his sights on the island post-Iran, the potential for a "friendly takeover" or significant policy shifts looms, with the US already taking steps to alter Cuba's economic dependencies and diplomatic landscape.
