WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday suggested the United States could potentially “take over” Cuba, but only through a peaceful transition, as his administration continues to escalate pressure on the communist-led island. The remarks came as Trump was preparing to board Marine One on the White House South Lawn for a trip to Texas.
Responding to questions from reporters about strained U.S. Relations with countries like Iran and Cuba, Trump stated his desire to see modern governments in both nations. Regarding Cuba specifically, he alluded to a transition that would be “very positive for the people who have been displaced or worse.”
“The Cuban government is talking to us, and they are in tremendous trouble, as you know. They don’t have money. They don’t have anything right now, but they are talking to us,” Trump told journalists. “And maybe we will do a takeover of Cuba, peacefully. We might do a takeover of Cuba peacefully.”
Trump has been actively pursuing regime change in Cuba for the past two months, employing both economic and diplomatic pressure. On January 30, 2026, Trump announced a national emergency concerning Cuba and threatened to impose high tariffs on any country supplying oil to the island, according to reports. This move further tightens the existing economic blockade against Havana amid a worsening energy crisis.
In his Friday statement, Trump reiterated his assessment of Cuba as a “failed state” on the brink of collapse. “I’ve been hearing about Cuba since I was a little kid, and everybody wants a change, and I can see that happening,” he said.
Trump credited Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American known for his hardline stance, with leading the initiative. “Marco Rubio is handling it, and at a very high level, and you know, they don’t have money. They don’t have oil, they don’t have food, and they are really a country in big trouble right now. And they want our help,” Trump stated.
The increased pressure on Cuba follows a period of heightened tension stemming from a U.S.-backed operation on January 3, in which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a close ally of Cuba, was captured and imprisoned. Reports indicate that 32 Cuban soldiers were killed during the operation, alongside Venezuelan military personnel.
The United States has maintained a full trade embargo against Cuba since the 1960s, significantly weakening its economy. According to Antara News, Trump’s administration is also attempting to halt oil shipments to Cuba from Mexico and Venezuela, and is considering tariffs on imports from countries that continue to supply fuel to Havana.
