Donald Trump stated on Monday that he believes he will have "the honor of taking Cuba" and described that possibility as "a great honor."
In statements from the White House, he also referred to the Island as a "failed nation," mentioned that "they are speaking to them" from Cuba, and suggested that he would act on it "in some way."
The comment arose when Trump was questioned about Cuba as a possible next action scenario, in a question that compared the situation to other cases like Iran or Venezuela.
The president initially responded that he could not say it in those terms, but added: “I can tell you that we are being spoken to. It is a failed nation.”
In that same passage, Trump portrayed Cuba as a resource-strapped country.
"They have no money, they have no oil, they have nothing," he said, although he also acknowledged that the Island has "good land," "beautiful scenery," and described it as "a lovely island."
He also stated that “in its own way, in terms of tourism and everything else,” Cuba has very favorable conditions, including a “wonderful” climate.
Much of his speech focused on the Cuban exile community in the United States, particularly in Florida.
Trump stated that he knows many people of Cuban origin who, according to him, "were treated poorly" in their home country, but later thrived in the United States.
"They are here and have become wealthy. They are very entrepreneurial individuals. Very intelligent," he stated.
Next, he provided several personal examples. He mentioned a friend of his who, as he recounted, started “with nothing” and ended up becoming “the largest owner of gas stations in the country.”
She also referred to "a fantastic person who is Cuban" and a family linked to the sugar business, Fanjul, regarding whom she expressed a desire to return to Cuba for a visit after not having been back in "about 50 years or so."
Trump insisted that many people of Cuban descent want to return to the Island.
"Many Cubans said, Oh my God, would they like to return?" he noted, before linking that idea to a broader reflection on the historical relationship between Washington and Havana.
"I have been hearing about the United States and Cuba my entire life. When will the United States do it?" she stated.
It was in that context that he formulated the central phrase: “But I believe I will have the honor of taking Cuba.” Immediately afterward, he reinforced the idea: “It would be a great honor.” And when asked again with the phrase “Take Cuba?”, he repeated: “Take Cuba. In some way, yes.”
Trump then expanded the meaning of that statement with another phrase that appears in the document: "In other words, if I free him, I take him. I think I can do whatever I want with it."
In the same excerpt, Trump depicted Cuba as a severely deteriorated country. “They are a nation very affected at this moment. They have been for a long time,” he said.
Additionally, he criticized the historical leadership of the Cuban Revolution and described Fidel Castro and his brothers as "very violent" and "extremely violent" leaders who "ruled with violence."
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