U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday, March 16, 2026, that he believes he might “have the honor” of annexing Cuba, a statement that comes amid increasing pressure on the island nation and ongoing discussions about its future.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office at the White House, Trump said, “You grasp, my whole life I’ve been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When is the United States going to do something about it? I believe I will have the honor of annexing Cuba.”
He further added, “I think I could do whatever I wanted with the country… They are a remarkably, very weakened nation right now. They’ve been that way for a long time,” Trump said.
Last week, the U.S. President suggested that a potential takeover of the Caribbean island by the United States could be either amicable or not.
During a press conference in Doral, Florida, Trump stated that Cuba is facing “serious trouble” in terms of its humanitarian situation and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is addressing the issue, which may or may not involve a “friendly takeover.”
“He’s dealing with it, and it could be a friendly takeover, or it could not be. It wouldn’t make much difference, because they are really… as they say, they’re out of resources. They don’t have energy, they don’t have money,” Trump told reporters.
The remarks from the U.S. President come as Cuba grapples with significant economic challenges and political unrest. The possibility of U.S. Intervention, even framed as a potential “friendly takeover,” raises complex questions about sovereignty and regional stability.
