U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) pledged imminent action against Cuba's socialist government as his moves against the island bring the U.S.' longtime opponent deeper into crisis.
A day after Mr. Trump's sanctions on Venezuela, including a stop to vital oil exports to Cuba, contributed to Cuba's latest nationwide blackout, Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both said that the administration sees the island nation as the next country where the U.S. can expand its influence.
"Cuba right now is in very bad shape,” Mr. Trump said.
“And we'll be doing something with Cuba very soon,” he added.
Until recently, Mr. Trump's comments on change in Cuba might have been considered remarkable. But they come after his administration's military raid that captured then-President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and the launch of U.S. military strikes against Iran.
