President Donald Trump surprised reporters Monday during a conference in the White House Oval Office with remarks about the nearby island nation, which is experiencing a severe energy and economic crisis.
“I really believe I will have the honor of taking Cuba,” he said.
Taken aback, reporters pressed for clarification. “Taking Cuba in some form, yes,” Trump confirmed. “That means, whether I liberate it, or occupy it – if you desire to grasp the truth, I think I could do whatever I want with it.”
The comments came as a U.S. Blockade has left Cuba nearly without electricity for two and a half months, fueling growing discontent. On Saturday, an angry mob stormed the Communist Party headquarters in the city of Morón, looting the building and building a bonfire from office furniture in the street. The city had already been without power for 30 hours at that time.
Trump’s openness about his perceived powers and options drew reaction from the Kremlin, as well as from Cuba’s president and foreign minister, who announced the country was opening to foreign investment. Experts, however, suggest that may not be enough.
Washington likely believes more concrete steps are needed for Trump to sell a change in Cuba’s communist government as a political victory.
The White House reportedly seeks the departure of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, the first leader of the country whose surname is not Castro.
‘But First, We’ll Finish Iran’
A day before speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump made similar remarks aboard Air Force One. He stated he was “holding” Cuba. “Cuba is a failing state,” he declared, adding that the communist nation also wants to reach a deal. He said they would strike a deal soon, or “do what has to be done.”
“But first, we’ll finish Iran,” Trump added.
Washington has long maintained that negotiations are underway with Havana, though the Cuban regime has denied this, with
