Trump Jokes About ‘Taking Over Cuba’ After Iran Ops, Signals Tougher Stand with Fresh Sanctions

Donald Trump Floats ‘Take Over Cuba’ Remark After Iran Ops, Unveils Sweeping New Sanctions

US President Donald Trump on Friday said the United States could move to “take over Cuba almost immediately” after completing its military operations in Iran, in remarks that underscored his administration’s hardening stance toward Havana.

Speaking at a private dinner in Florida, Trump suggested that US naval power could be used to pressure Cuba, outlining a hypothetical scenario involving the USS Abraham Lincoln. He said the aircraft carrier could be positioned just offshore after returning from the Iran theatre, implying it could force a quick surrender.

“We’ll be taking it over almost immediately,” Trump said, adding that the vessel could stop close to the Cuban coast and compel authorities to concede.

The comments came a day after Trump signed an executive order expanding sanctions across key sectors of the Cuban economy, including energy, defence, mining, finance and security. The measures also extend to foreign individuals and institutions found to be engaging with blacklisted Cuban entities.

The order further targets Cuban officials accused of corruption or human rights abuses, placing restrictions on their travel to the US and warning global financial institutions against facilitating related transactions.

Washington says the move is part of a broader “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at pushing political and economic reforms in Cuba, which is grappling with a deepening economic crisis fuelled by energy shortages and longstanding trade restrictions.

Cuba has strongly rejected the latest measures. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla said the sanctions violate international law and harm ordinary citizens, accusing the US of overreach.

In a post on X, he said Washington “has no right whatsoever to impose measures” on Cuba or third countries, calling the actions coercive and unjustified.