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Trump threatens Cuba as Rubio pushes for political change (Img: X)
New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has renewed his threat of military intervention in Cuba, suggesting that American warships returning from the conflict with Iran could stop near the island before Secretary of State Marco Rubio steps in to negotiate a deal.
Speaking at a rally in Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday, Trump responded to a question about Cuba from the crowd. His remarks came days before the US midterm elections, as Americans face rising prices of essential goods, including fuel and groceries, amid the war with Iran.
“We’ll do a little stopover,” Trump said. “Actually, what we’re going to do with Cuba is, we’re going to come back from Iran. Those beautiful ships will pass Cuba. We’ll have one of them stop about 50 yards off the coast. They’ll raise up their hands. And then we’re going to send (Secretary of State) Marco Rubio in to finish up the deal.”
Trump suggested that military action remained an option if negotiations failed.
"We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree".
Questioning Iran’s strategic judgement, he added, “If they’re smart, they’ll just say, ‘Let’s get down to business.’ But, you know, I doubt they’ll do that because perhaps they’re not smart.”
.@POTUS: "We're gonna come back from Iran, those beautiful ships will pass Cuba. We'll have one of them stop about 50 yards off the coast. They'll raise up their hands — and then we're gonna send @SecRubio in to finish up the job."
*crowd ROARS* https://t.co/91Jf26EWDM
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 23, 2026
Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned Trump’s remarks, rejecting what he described as Washington’s ambitions towards the island.
"We reject every threat related to US ambitions toward Cuba. Our coastline is full of beautiful beaches, but there are also razor-sharp limestone spikes, an inhospitable environment for those who make it to our shores with hostile purposes and lust for domination," Rodríguez wrote on X.
We reject every threat related to US ambitions toward Cuba.
Our coastline is full of beautiful beaches, but there are also razor-sharp limestone spikes, an inhospitable environment for those who make it to our shores with hostile purposes and lust for domination.
#CubaIsNotAThreat The Blockade Is.
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) October 23, 2026
Trump and Rubio have intensified pressure on Cuba’s communist government in recent months. In May, both raised the possibility of US military intervention, while tensions increased after the Trump administration announced criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro.
Trump had previously said that several US presidents had considered intervening in Cuba, adding that “it looks like I’ll be the one that does it”.
Rubio has repeatedly described Cuba’s ties with countries hostile to Washington as a national security concern. Although he has said the US wants a peaceful resolution, he has questioned whether an agreement is possible under Cuba’s current leadership.
Following Trump’s speech, Rubio urged those seeking political change on the island to act.
"To those who seek to create positive change in Cuba - now is the time. The disappointment of failed promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of only a few; seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discreet partnership with the CIA", Rubio wrote on social media.
In a September 29 interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Rubio said Cuba’s economy and political system were failing.
“The truth is Cuba has already fallen. It doesn’t have a functional economy and it’s governed by people who continue to preach about some revolution that has been dead for 20 years that’s never worked,” he said.
“We are hopeful that Cuba will choose a different path. We are hopeful … that there will be some people in there that open their eyes to the reality of what they’re facing,” Rubio added. “We’re never going to allow Cuba to become a base of operation against American interests or pose a threat to our national security. On that we are abundantly clear.”
Despite the escalating rhetoric, US and Cuban officials have held discussions in recent months to explore ways to improve bilateral relations. However, Washington has expressed dissatisfaction with the talks and imposed additional sanctions on the Cuban government.
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Addressing the United Nations General Assembly last month, Trump said Rubio was “deep into negotiations with Cuba”. He also warned that he would “not allow a haven for foreign adversaries to threaten America on our own doorstep”.
A few days later, Trump expressed confidence that the two countries “will make a deal”, adding: “I don’t think we’ll need the military. Cuba is failing very badly.”
The diplomatic tensions come as Cuba struggles with a prolonged economic and energy crisis that has intensified since 2020. Its economy has contracted, while its population of around 10 million faces widespread power cuts, food shortages and rising prices.
The crisis has fuelled repeated public protests and a mass exodus, with hundreds of thousands of Cubans leaving the country, many heading to the United States.
