President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States may be moving toward reengaging with the Cuban government, despite earlier comments suggesting the regime was nearing collapse. He added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is of Cuban descent, would lead the effort.
A reporter asked Trump about his previous statement that Cuba wanted to make a deal.
“Yes,” Trump responded.
When asked what the United States would gain from such a deal and why Americans should trust Rubio to negotiate it, Trump praised his secretary of state.
“Marco Rubio is doing a great job. I think he’s going to go down as the greatest Secretary of State in history,” Trump said. “They trust Marco, and so do the American people. He’s been successful no matter where he’s been.”
Trump also noted Rubio’s ability to speak Spanish, calling it helpful in negotiations. He suggested that any potential outcome could involve a “friendly takeover,” though he said it might not necessarily be one.
“It wouldn’t matter,” Trump added. “They’re down to fumes. They have no energy, no money. They’re in deep humanitarian trouble, and we don’t want to see that.”
He also emphasized the importance of Cuban Americans, many of whom supported him in large numbers.
“Those people are very important to me. I know what they went through—they went through hell,” Trump said, adding that many Cuban Americans have gone on to become highly successful in business and are among his longtime supporters.
Trump criticized the Castro regime, describing it as brutal and heavily dependent on Venezuela in the past. He said that support had ended, leaving Cuba without key resources.
“They lived off Venezuela. Now they get no energy, no fuel, no oil, no money—nothing,” he said. “So they’re going to make a deal, or we’ll handle it another way.”
Speaking Saturday at the Shield of the Americas summit in Doral, Florida, Trump again said Cuba was “in its last moments of life.” He made the remarks while addressing Latin American leaders at his golf club.
After discussing Venezuela, Trump said the United States was also looking toward changes in Cuba.
“As we achieve a historic transformation in Venezuela, we’re also looking forward to the great change that will soon be coming to Cuba,” he said.
Trump described the communist-run island as being “at the end of the line,” citing a lack of money, oil, and what he called a failed political system.
He previously raised the idea of a “friendly takeover” and indicated earlier this week that Cuba could soon become a major focus for Rubio.
Trump also said Cuba is already negotiating with Rubio and expressed confidence that an agreement could be reached quickly.
“Cuba’s in its last moments of life as it is,” Trump said. “It’ll have a great new life, but it’s in its last moments the way it is.”
