WASHINGTON, Oct 24: US President Donald Trump has revived the possibility of military intervention in Cuba, telling a rally in South Florida that American warships returning from the Middle East could make a stop near the Caribbean island after the conflict with Iran.
Trump made the remarks on Friday while campaigning for candidates ahead of the US midterm elections. Responding to a question shouted by someone in the crowd, he described a scenario in which a US naval vessel would approach the Cuban coast before Secretary of State Marco Rubio stepped in to negotiate an agreement.
“We’ll do a little stopover,” Trump said, suggesting that one of the returning warships could stop about 50 yards off the Cuban coast. He added that Rubio would then be sent to “finish up the deal.”
The comments marked a renewed focus on Cuba after Trump had previously suggested that the country could become the next target of US intervention following the Iran conflict. Although he has repeatedly predicted that the war with Iran would wind down, the conflict has not yet concluded.
Trump and Rubio have both adopted a hard-line position towards Cuba’s socialist government. In May, the president indicated that he could become the first US leader in decades to pursue military action against the island. The possibility gained further attention after the administration announced criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raul Castro.
Rubio has argued that Cuba poses a national security concern because of its relationships with countries opposed to Washington. While the administration has expressed an interest in resolving differences through diplomacy, the secretary of state has questioned whether an agreement can be reached with Cuba’s current leadership.
Shortly after Trump’s rally remarks, Rubio posted on social media that “now is the time” for action on Cuba. Addressing those seeking political change on the island, he encouraged them to pursue their objectives through what he described as a partnership with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Rubio had not discussed Cuba extensively in public in recent weeks. In a September 29 interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, he described the country’s economy as dysfunctional and criticised its leadership for continuing to promote a revolution that, in his view, had failed.
He also said Washington hoped Cuban officials would reconsider their approach but warned that the United States would not permit the island to become a base for foreign adversaries or a threat to American national security.
Despite the increasingly firm public rhetoric, officials from both countries have held meetings in recent months to explore possible improvements in bilateral relations. However, the discussions have produced little apparent progress, and Washington has imposed additional sanctions on the Cuban government.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly last month, Trump said Rubio was deeply involved in negotiations with Havana. He reiterated that the United States would not allow foreign adversaries to establish a foothold close to American territory.
A few days later, Trump expressed confidence that the two countries could reach an agreement, saying he did not believe military action would be necessary because Cuba was struggling economically.
The latest exchange comes amid continued diplomatic friction between Washington and Havana. Earlier this week, the two governments clashed at the United Nations over the longstanding US economic embargo against Cuba, with the Trump administration seeking to build opposition to an annual resolution condemning the restrictions.
Cuba has faced a prolonged economic and energy crisis since 2020. The country has experienced a shrinking economy, widespread power outages, food shortages and rising prices. The difficulties have fuelled public protests and prompted hundreds of thousands of Cubans to leave the island, many heading to the United States.
Trump’s latest remarks add to uncertainty over the future of US-Cuba relations, as the administration balances diplomatic contacts with sanctions and increasingly forceful statements about the island’s political future.