President Donald Trump says Cuba is next on his agenda after Iran, predicting the communist island’s imminent fall amid a crippling US energy blockade.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has declared Cuba is “next” on his agenda following Iran, predicting the communist-run island’s regime is “gonna fall pretty soon.” He made the remarks in a CNN phone interview, a day after hinting at a future Cuba project.
“They want to make a deal so badly,” Trump stated. He explained Secretary of State Marco Rubio would lead the Cuba initiative, adding “your next one is going to be, we want to do that special Cuba.”
Both Trump and Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, have openly sought regime change in Havana. This follows the US overthrow of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, another regional adversary.
The US Embassy in Havana recently confirmed a meeting between US officials and senior Catholic Church representatives. They discussed American humanitarian aid and “the need for change to improve the situation in Cuba.”
Trump has repeatedly asserted the Cuban regime is ripe for collapse. He imposed an energy blockade that has halted all state oil shipments since January 9.
This blockade has forced airlines to cut flights and deepened Cuba’s existing economic crisis. Havana accuses Trump of deliberately strangling its economy.
The island has been under a US trade embargo since 1962. It endures severe power cuts and shortages of fuel, medicine, and food.
Washington recently allowed private Cuban companies to import small amounts of oil. A major blackout affected two-thirds of the island on Wednesday after a power plant failure.
The Catholic Church has historically mediated between Washington and Havana. Pope Francis helped restore diplomatic relations under President Barack Obama in 2015.
The Vatican also brokered a prisoner exchange deal between Havana and former President Joe Biden. Trump returned Cuba to the US state sponsors of terror list in January 2025.