Washington, United States. President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric toward Cuba on Monday, saying he expected to have the “honor” of “taking Cuba in some form” and that he could “do anything” he wanted with the country, even as bilateral talks continue.
Comments made during Oval Office event
Trump made the remarks to reporters at a signing event in the Oval Office. “I do believe I’ll be … having the honor of taking Cuba. That’s a big honor. Taking Cuba in some form,” he said.
“I mean, whether I free it, take it. Think I can do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth,” Trump added.
Talks aimed at improving relations
The statements came as Cuba and the United States have opened talks aimed at improving largely adverse relations, described as reaching one of their most contentious moments in the 67 years since Fidel Castro overthrew what had been a close U.S. ally.
After Trump’s comments, the New York Times reported that removing Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel from office is a key U.S. objective in the talks. Citing four people familiar with the talks, the report said U.S. officials have signaled to Cuban negotiators that Diaz-Canel must go while leaving next steps to the Cubans.
Cuba has traditionally rejected interference in its internal affairs and has treated proposals of that kind as a deal-breaker for any agreement.
Diaz-Canel calls for talks based on sovereignty
Diaz-Canel, 65, who succeeded Fidel Castro and Raul Castro as president in 2018, said on Friday he expected talks with the United States to take place “under the principles of equality and respect for the political systems of both countries, sovereignty and self-determination.”
Oil disruption and power outages
Trump’s remarks came as Cuba faces an unprecedented economic crisis, described as exacerbated by an oil blockade the United States imposed after capturing former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Trump has said Cuba could be “next” after removing Maduro from power and joining Israel in attacking Iran. He increased pressure by halting Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatening tariffs on any country that sells oil to Cuba.
Cuba has said it has not received an oil shipment in three months and has imposed severe energy rationing, leading to extended power outages. Much of the economy has slowed significantly. On Monday, Cuba’s electric grid collapsed, leaving the country of 10 million people without power.
Trump comments on timeline
On Sunday, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, “We’re talking to Cuba, but we’re going to do Iran before Cuba.”
What do you expect the ongoing U.S.-Cuba talks to focus on next?
