Trump suggests US could have ‘friendly takeover of Cuba’

Donald Trump suggested Wednesday that the United States could potentially execute a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, reviving rhetoric reminiscent of America’s past interventionist policies toward the island nation just 90 miles from Florida’s shore.

The former president and Republican nominee made the remarks during a town hall event in Oaks, Pennsylvania, while discussing what he described as Cuba’s influence in Venezuela. Trump claimed Cuba is “totally controlling” Venezuela due to its close alliance with President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

“We should do a friendly takeover of Cuba,” Trump told the audience. “You know, we’ve done friendly takeovers. The concept of a friendly takeover is interesting.”

The provocative statement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Havana, which have persisted since the 1959 revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power. While the Obama administration had worked to normalize relations with Cuba in 2015, Trump largely reversed these policies during his presidency, reinstating travel restrictions and economic sanctions.

Cuba experts expressed alarm at Trump’s comments, noting they echo a troubling history of U.S. intervention in the Caribbean nation. The United States maintained significant control over Cuba’s affairs following the Spanish-American War until Castro’s revolution, and later sponsored the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.

“This kind of rhetoric is extremely dangerous and counterproductive,” said William LeoGrande, professor of government at American University and a specialist in U.S.-Cuba relations. “It reinforces the Cuban government’s narrative that the United States still harbors imperial ambitions toward the island and justifies their security state.”

The Cuban government has not officially responded to Trump’s remarks, but state media outlets have previously characterized the former president’s policies as hostile and aimed at destabilizing the country’s socialist system.

Trump’s comments also highlight his continued focus on Latin America as a campaign issue. He has frequently criticized the Biden administration’s approach to Venezuela, where Maduro remains in power despite international pressure and U.S. sanctions. The Trump administration had pursued an aggressive “maximum pressure” campaign against Maduro’s government, recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

Venezuela holds vast oil reserves and was once one of the world’s largest petroleum exporters before its economy collapsed amid political turmoil and mismanagement. Cuba, meanwhile, has provided Venezuela with doctors, military advisers, and intelligence assistance in exchange for subsidized oil shipments crucial to the island’s economy.

Political analysts suggest Trump’s comments may be aimed at Florida’s influential Cuban American and Venezuelan American communities, which have traditionally supported Republican candidates who take hard-line positions against socialist governments in Latin America.

“Trump is clearly trying to energize his base in South Florida,” said Eduardo Gamarra, professor of political science at Florida International University. “These communities respond positively to tough rhetoric against leftist regimes in their home countries, but actual policy implementation is much more complex than campaign promises.”

The Biden campaign quickly condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them “reckless” and “reminiscent of failed Cold War policies.” A spokesperson added that such statements “undermine America’s standing in Latin America and play into the hands of authoritarian regimes by reinforcing anti-American sentiment.”

Foreign policy experts note that any attempt to forcibly change Cuba’s government would violate international law and likely face widespread condemnation, including from U.S. allies. Additionally, such action could destabilize the Caribbean region and potentially trigger a humanitarian crisis.

The United Nations Charter explicitly prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, a principle that would apply to Trump’s suggestion regardless of whether he characterized it as “friendly.”

As the presidential campaign intensifies, Trump’s comments on Cuba add to a growing list of controversial foreign policy positions that have raised concerns among diplomatic circles about the potential direction of U.S. international relations should he return to office.