President Donald Trump declared this Thursday that he would consider the use of military force against Cuba if necessary, and that he intends to "end Cuba" before his term concludes. He made these statements during a phone interview with broadcaster Hugh Hewitt, of Salem News Channel, who asked him if he would be willing to resort to a week-long military operation.
"Without a doubt, I would consider that, yes," Trump responded when asked if he would accept "a bit of military force, a brief campaign" against the island.
In the same conversation, the president went further and set a personal goal: "I want to finish with Cuba before I leave, and we have a very good and talented man for Cuba named Marco."
Trump was referring to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose parents emigrated from Cuba, and presented him as the key figure to handle the matter: "Marco Rubio's parents are from Cuba, as you probably know, and he would love to do it."
The president also described the island harshly: "It is essentially a failed place, a failed nation, whatever you want to call it, it has failed." He added that he would be motivated by the Cubans who came to the United States after being "treated very poorly": "I would love to be able to do it for the people, for the Cubans who came and were treated very poorly and arrived in America."
Trump also claimed to have received 94% of the Cuban vote in Florida, although that figure is not supported by exit polls or independent electoral sources, and he stated that he is "more popular now" than before.
These statements represent the most direct rhetorical escalation from the president regarding a potential military action against Cuba during his second term, contrasting with previous positions. In September, Trump had ruled out military action and stated that he preferred to reach an agreement. In October, at a rally in Fort Myers, he suggested sending warships 50 yards off the Cuban coast after returning from the war with Iran, and then sending Rubio to "seal the deal."
Throughout 2026, the Trump administration has combined rhetorical pressure with an intense campaign of economic sanctions under Executive Order 14404, with more than two dozen rounds targeting over 40 entities and at least 38 individuals connected to the Cuban military-business apparatus. On November 5, the State Department announced measures against eight entities, two individuals, and blocked five vessels.
The Cuban regime, for its part, acknowledged its military disadvantage against the United States but asserted that it takes seriously the possibility of an operation and mobilized its forces in response to the increased pressure. The Cuban representative to the UN, Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, denounced on Monday the statements made by U.S. officials regarding possible actions against the island.
Secretary Rubio, for his part, conditioned any progress on the Cuban regime abandoning its current course and adopting political and economic changes. Although the Democrats won the midterm elections on November 3, they will not assume control of Congress until January 3, 2027, leaving Trump with full executive action freedom for the coming months.
On October 31, Trump had already promised that "no Castro will be in power when he leaves office" and set a timeframe of two and a half years to address the Cuban issue.
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