U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday he believes he will have the “honor” of taking Cuba, describing the nation as economically collapsed.
Cuba in Crisis
Cuba is experiencing a deepening energy and economic crisis, with a nationwide power outage affecting approximately 10 million of its 11 million residents, authorities reported Monday.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced on March 13 that the island has not received oil deliveries in over three months, relying on solar energy, natural gas, and thermal power plants.
U.S. authorities have warned Cuba faces a fate similar to Venezuela if it does not implement significant changes, previously halting Venezuelan oil deliveries and threatening tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba.
Trump’s Assertions on Cuba
“I believe I will have the honor of taking Cuba,” President Trump said Monday during a press conference in the Oval Office. “It’s a great honor. … Whether it’s through liberation, or taking. I think I can do whatever I want with it.”
Trump stated that Cuban authorities are in talks with the U.S., characterizing Cuba as “a failed country” lacking money and resources, but possessing “beautiful land” and a “beautiful landscape.”
Trump has previously indicated the fall of the Cuban regime is imminent, suggesting a “friendly takeover” of the island.
Economic Openings and U.S. Scrutiny
On the same day as Trump’s remarks, Cuban authorities announced the opening of the country’s economy to foreign investment, including from the U.S.
The U.S. administration intends to assess whether these changes are substantial or merely cosmetic, according to sources cited by the New York Times.
Republican Senator Carlos Gimenez, of Cuban descent, stated that no U.S. investment will occur without significant political change on the island.
“Friendly Takeover” Discussed
President Trump has previously discussed the possibility of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba.
