President Trump says he will “take care of Cuba” in speech to Latin American leaders
“We’re going to take care of Cuba,” President Donald Trump told a gathering of Latin American leaders, touting recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela and Iran.
- The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to announce an economic deal with Cuba.
- Talks also include deals on ports, energy and tourism, according to people familiar with the administration’s plans.
- President Trump has publicly stated that Cuba is negotiating with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
DORAL, Fla. – The Trump administration is preparing an economic deal with Cuba that could be announced soon, two sources familiar with the administration’s plans said.
Details and exact timing of the anticipated transaction are unknown. But the agreement could include relaxations on travel for Americans to Havana. Mr. Trump would not need Congressional approval to ease those restrictions.
The talks include President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s resignation, the Castro family remaining on the island, and agreements on ports, energy and tourism. The US government is considering lifting some sanctions.
After the U.S.’s dramatic detention of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and the abrupt halt to oil shipments, the island looked set to become the next target for regime change. But instead of overt military action to overthrow the communist government in Havana, the Trump administration is moving to restructure regime change through economic deals that prioritize U.S. interests and avoid full-scale confrontation.
President Barack Obama repealed some rules in the final years of his presidency, but President Trump reinstated some during his first term.
The Trump administration is also pursuing an economic strategy, but those close to the administration say it differs from President Obama’s actions, as the president’s attack on Venezuela and the U.S. seizure of Caracas oil have shown he is serious about restoring U.S. primacy in the Western Hemisphere.
It was not immediately clear what the United States would get in return for the deal, which President Trump teased last week.
President Trump has publicly stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been consulting with the Cuban government and that the Cuban regime wants a deal.
In response to a media request for comment, the White House referred USA TODAY to President Trump’s comments at the Shield of the Americas Summit.
President Trump told Latin American leaders on March 7: “Cuba is at the finish line. They’re right at the finish line. They have no money. They have no oil. They have the wrong philosophy. They have had a bad regime for a long time.”
Trump said at the time that Cuba was negotiating with Rubio, himself and other members of his administration, which he did not name. “I think it would be very easy to reach an agreement with Cuba,” he said.
President Trump added, “If things continue like this, Cuba is in the final moments of its life. It will have a wonderful new life, but if it continues like this, it is in the final moments of its life.”
How is President Trump’s Cuba deal different from President Obama’s?
Former U.S. officials who have worked on Cuba policy privately question how close the administration really is to a deal.
President Trump has been warning of the collapse of the Cuban government ever since it attacked Venezuela and kidnapped President Maduro in a secret raid on his residence. President Trump said in January that there was no need for the United States to take military action in Cuba because Cuba would collapse economically if it could not rely on Venezuela.
Mr. Trump has influence that Mr. Obama does not have, according to people familiar with the ongoing discussions.
The administration has ratcheted up pressure on the Cuban government in recent days, issuing thin threats that it could prosecute Cuban officials.
Rubio and his aides are reported to be holding secret talks with Raul Castro’s grandson, Laurito Castro, who is close to his grandfather. The White House has declined to comment on the report, but senior administration officials have not denied the report.
At a White House event on March 5, President Trump told Inter Miami CF owner Jorge Mas, whose father was born in Cuba, that he would be able to visit the country soon.
“You don’t need my approval. Just come back,” Trump said.
He has expressed a desire to end the bombing campaign with Iran first and said he wants to wait a few weeks, but he doubts they will celebrate together again soon.
Two days later, on March 7, President Trump said, “As we accomplish historic changes in Venezuela, we also look forward to the great changes that will soon come to Cuba.”
President Trump said many of the like-minded leaders he hosted at the Latin American Summit called on Cuba to be considerate.
“In fact, four of them said, ‘Can you please do me a favor? Take care of Cuba. I’ll take care of it, okay?'” Trump told them.
The president’s closest allies have also issued public warnings to Cuba following Maduro’s arrest. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said in a Fox News interview last week that Cuba is next on his presidential ticket.
President Trump has indicated repeatedly over the past week that he wants to wait until the war between the United States and Iran is over before relying on Cuba, but the Castro family wields significant power behind the scenes in Cuba, and it is unclear who will succeed Mr. Díaz-Canel, Mr. Raul’s handpicked successor.
“We’re focused on Iran right now, and we’re going to do that. I say, ‘Marco, what would you do if you took a couple days off?'” Trump said in Doral. “Probably about an hour. He’ll take an hour off and then finish the deal with Cuba.”
Francesca Chambers is USA Today’s White House correspondent, covering foreign policy and presidential elections. You can follow her at X @fran_chambers.
