Donald Trump described Fidel Castro and his brothers as "very violent" leaders and stated that they ruled Cuba through violence. In remarks about the island, he also referred to it as a "failed nation," praised its tourism potential, and went so far as to say he would have "the honor of taking Cuba."
Trump made those comments in response to a question from the White House about Cuba as a possible next focus for U.S. action.
In that exchange, he avoided specifying whether the Island would be treated in a manner comparable to Iran or Venezuela, but he did assert that from Cuba “they are speaking to them” and immediately added: “It is a failed nation.”
The president also presented Cuba as a country lacking resources.
"They have no money, they have no oil, they have nothing," he asserted.
Nonetheless, he combined that vision with praises for the country's natural conditions. He stated that Cuba has "good land," "a beautiful landscape," and described it as "a beautiful island." He also affirmed that, "in its own way, in terms of tourism and everything else," the island has great appeal.
A significant part of his speech was dedicated to discussing the Cuban exile in the United States, particularly in Florida. Trump claimed to have met many people from Cuba who, according to him, were mistreated on the Island but thrived in the United States.
"They are here and they have become rich. They are very entrepreneurial people. Very intelligent," he said.
To reinforce that idea, he mentioned a friend of his who, as he described, started “with nothing” and ended up becoming the largest owner of gas stations in the country. He also referred to “a fantastic person who is Cuban” and the Fanjul family, saying they wish to return to Cuba for a visit after not having been back in about 50 years.
Trump stated that this desire to return is not limited to just one case. "Many Cubans said, Oh my God, would they like to go back?" he remarked.
From there, he once again highlighted Cuba as a territory with tourist and symbolic value, before moving on to one of the most striking parts of his statements.
The end of the regime
"I believe Cuba will see the end. My whole life I have been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? But I think I will have the honor of taking Cuba," he affirmed.
The statement was immediately reaffirmed. “It would be a great honor,” he added. When asked again with the phrase “Take Cuba?”, he replied: “Take Cuba. In some way, yes.”
He went even further by developing that idea with another formulation: “Take Cuba. I mean, if I liberate it, I take it. I think I can do whatever I want with it.”
Trump expressed his straightforward assessment of Cuba's historical leadership. "Very violent leaders. Castro was a very violent leader. His brothers were very violent. Extremely violent. That’s how they ruled. They ruled with violence," he stated.
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