President Donald Trump raised the possibility of using American warships to pressure Cuba’s communist government into surrendering Friday, suggesting that Secretary of State Marco Rubio could help negotiate a political agreement with Havana.
Trump made the remarks during a campaign rally at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Alico Arena in Fort Myers, where he appeared in support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds.
The president was addressing supporters when an audience member asked about Cuba, prompting him to outline a scenario involving American naval vessels returning from Iran.
“No, Cuba, he wants to know what about Cuba. Give me a break. Give me a break,” Trump said.
“Don’t worry. We’ll take care of Cuba on our way back from Iran. We’ll do a little stopover.”
Trump then described how American warships could approach the island, suggesting that their presence alone might compel Cuba’s communist leadership to surrender.
“Actually, what we’re going to do with Cuba is we’re going to come back from Iran. Those beautiful ships will pass Cuba,” he told the crowd.
“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 Marco Rubio in to finish up the deal.”
The president continued by suggesting that Rubio could handle negotiations without a naval stop.
“We don’t even have to stop,” Trump said. “We could just put him in there and he’ll figure it out. He’s a great guy.”
The comments highlighted Trump’s desire to bring significant political change to Cuba, where the communist government has remained in power for decades.
However, the president did not announce a formal military operation, deployment order or timetable for action against the island.
His remarks came as the administration continues applying diplomatic and economic pressure on Havana.
Rubio, a former Florida senator and the son of Cuban immigrants, has played a central role in shaping the administration’s policies toward Cuba.
As secretary of state, he has repeatedly criticized the island’s communist leadership and questioned the long-term sustainability of its political and economic system.
During a September interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Rubio described Cuba’s governing system as a failure and criticized its leaders for continuing to promote a revolution that he argued had not delivered prosperity.
The administration has also intensified its economic pressure on the Cuban government.
In September, Washington announced additional sanctions targeting Cuban officials, financial networks and operations involving the country’s resources.
The State Department accused the communist government of threatening American national security interests and outlined measures designed to restrict financial benefits flowing to Cuban elites.
Those actions formed part of the administration’s broader effort to isolate Havana economically while increasing pressure on its leadership.
Trump has made clear that he wants fundamental changes to Cuba’s political system, although the administration has not publicly established how such a transition would occur.
Friday’s remarks introduced the prospect of American naval pressure into that discussion.
The president’s reference to Iran also linked his comments on Cuba to broader military activity abroad, suggesting a possible connection between operations in different regions.
Nevertheless, he offered no operational details demonstrating that the United States had committed to sending warships to Cuban waters.
The location of Trump’s remarks carried political significance.
Florida has a substantial Cuban American population, particularly in South Florida, where American policy toward Havana remains a prominent issue.
The president appeared in Fort Myers to support Donalds, a Republican congressman campaigning to become Florida’s next governor, per Breitbart News.
Donalds is running against Democrat David Jolly in the state’s gubernatorial election.
Trump’s comments placed Cuba’s future at the center of his appearance while emphasizing Rubio’s role in the administration’s foreign policy.
For now, the president’s description of a naval encounter remains a public statement rather than a confirmed military plan.
His administration continues pursuing sanctions and diplomatic pressure against Cuba’s communist government, while Trump has suggested that American military strength could ultimately play a role in bringing about political change on the island.
