President Donald Trump said the U.S. could move to “take over” Cuba after completing military operations related to Iran, making the remarks during a speech in Florida while also announcing expanded sanctions on the Cuban government.
Speaking at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Trump told attendees, “We will be taking over [Cuba] almost immediately,” adding that the move could come after “finishing the job” in Iran.
He described a hypothetical scenario involving a U.S. aircraft carrier approaching Cuban waters.
“On the way back from Iran, we’ll have one of our big… aircraft carriers… stop about 100 yards offshore,” Trump said, suggesting that Cuban officials would quickly concede in that situation.
No formal military plan has been announced.
The comments echoed previous statements in which Trump suggested Cuba could be a future focus of U.S. policy, though administration officials have not outlined any operational steps toward such an action.
At the same time, the administration moved forward with economic measures.
Trump signed an executive order expanding sanctions on Cuba, targeting individuals and entities tied to the country’s government, particularly in sectors such as energy, finance, and mining. The White House described Cuba as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.
The order allows for asset freezes, travel restrictions, and limitations on business dealings involving sanctioned individuals.
Cuba is currently facing significant internal challenges.
The country has experienced widespread power outages and an ongoing economic crisis, conditions that have been intensified by restrictions on energy imports and broader economic pressure.
Cuban officials rejected the U.S. actions.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel described the sanctions as coercive and said they unfairly target the Cuban population. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said the country would not be intimidated by U.S. pressure and accused Washington of imposing punitive measures on civilians.
The remarks come as tensions remain elevated globally.
The United States is managing ongoing conflict dynamics involving Iran, while also maintaining pressure on governments it considers adversarial. Trump has linked these issues, suggesting a broader strategic approach that includes both military and economic measures.
Congress has also weighed in.
Earlier in the week, the Senate voted 51–47 against a resolution that would have required congressional approval before any military action against Cuba. The vote largely followed party lines, leaving the administration with broader discretion in how it approaches the issue, the Daily Mail reported.
Trump has previously framed Cuba as a potential next step in U.S. foreign policy.
In earlier remarks, he said he believed he would have the “honor” of taking control of Cuba “in some form,” though specifics were not provided.
The latest comments and sanctions signal an escalation in rhetoric and economic pressure, even as no concrete military plans have been disclosed.
For now, U.S. policy toward Cuba appears focused on tightening sanctions and increasing leverage, while the president continues to raise the possibility of more aggressive action without outlining a defined path forward.
