President Donald Trump said the United States would turn its attention to Cuba after concluding military operations against Iran, suggesting American warships could approach the island before Secretary of State Marco Rubio intervenes.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump warned Friday, Oct. 23, that Cuba could become the next focus of American intervention after the war with Iran, suggesting U.S. naval forces returning from the Middle East could approach the island as his administration intensifies pressure on its communist government.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Fort Myers, Florida, Trump raised the possibility of a military show of force near Cuba’s coastline after an audience member interrupted his remarks about American military operations in Venezuela and Iran.
“Cuba. He wants to know what about Cuba. Give me a break. Give me a break,” Trump said, chuckling. “Don’t worry. We’ll take care of Cuba on our way back from Iran.”
“We’ll do a little stopover.”
Trump then described a hypothetical encounter involving American warships approaching Cuba and Secretary of State Marco Rubio negotiating with the country’s leadership.
“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 Marco Rubio in to finish up.”
The president continued, “We don’t even have to stop.”
“We can just put him in there, and he’ll figure it out. He is a great guy.”
The remarks drew applause from supporters attending the rally at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Alico Arena. Although Trump delivered the comments in a humorous tone, they renewed questions about whether his administration might pursue military action against Cuba.
According to Reuters’ coverage of the rally, Trump has previously suggested Cuba could be targeted for additional American intervention but also predicted that Washington and Havana might reach an agreement without military force.
The president did not announce a formal military operation, identify specific objectives or provide a timetable for action.
Approximately an hour after Trump’s comments, Rubio issued a public appeal to Cubans seeking political change, encouraging them to cooperate with American intelligence services.
“To those who seek to create positive change in Cuba — now is the time,” Rubio wrote on social media.
“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 discrete partnership with the CIA.”
The message intensified the administration’s pressure on Cuba’s leadership by openly inviting cooperation with the Central Intelligence Agency.
The social media exchange involving Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla subsequently drew additional attention as Havana condemned Washington’s rhetoric.
Rodríguez rejected the possibility of foreign military intervention and warned that Cuba would resist any attempt to impose political change through force.
“We reject all threats regarding U.S. ambitions toward Cuba,” Rodríguez wrote in a separate statement.
“On our shores, there are beautiful beaches, but also dogtooth, inhospitable to those who arrive with hostile intentions and desires for domination.”
Cuban officials have repeatedly accused Washington of attempting to destabilize the country’s government through economic restrictions, diplomatic pressure and threats of intervention.
The latest exchange follows a series of measures taken by the Trump administration throughout 2026.
In January, Trump signed an executive order authorizing tariffs against countries supplying oil to Cuba, declaring that the Cuban government’s activities posed a threat to American national security and foreign policy.
The administration subsequently intensified restrictions on petroleum shipments reaching the island, further straining Cuba’s already troubled energy system.
Cuba has experienced widespread electricity shortages, blackouts and disruptions to essential services as its aging infrastructure struggles with limited fuel supplies.
The restrictions have worsened economic conditions on an island already facing shortages of food, medicine and other basic necessities.
Washington has also expanded legal and financial pressure on Cuban officials.
In May, federal prosecutors secured criminal indictments involving former Cuban President Raúl Castro, revisiting allegations connected to the 1996 destruction of two civilian aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue.
The aircraft were shot down by Cuban fighter jets, killing four people. The incident has remained a longstanding source of tension between Washington and Havana.
The administration followed with additional economic sanctions against Cuban officials and state-linked entities, targeting organizations and financial networks associated with the communist government.
The broader strategy reflects the administration’s stated objective of securing fundamental political changes in Cuba.
Trump’s comments also followed American military intervention in Venezuela earlier this year, when U.S. forces captured former President Nicolás Maduro during an operation that significantly altered the regional political landscape.
Cuba had maintained close political, military and economic relations with Maduro’s government, including arrangements involving Venezuelan petroleum supplies.
The loss of that relationship, combined with American restrictions on fuel imports, has increased pressure on Havana.
According to an Associated Press report, Trump and Rubio have previously raised the possibility of military intervention against Cuba, although the administration has also participated in diplomatic discussions with Cuban officials.
Those discussions have not produced a comprehensive agreement.
Cuba’s government has indicated that it remains willing to engage in negotiations with Washington while rejecting demands that it surrender sovereignty or accept externally imposed political changes.
The situation is further complicated by the ongoing war involving Iran, which has required substantial American military resources and contributed to rising global oil prices.
Trump’s remarks suggest that the administration intends to maintain pressure on Cuba while prioritizing its confrontation with Tehran.
However, the president offered no indication that American military planners had received orders to deploy forces against the island.
Rubio’s public appeal for cooperation with the CIA adds another dimension to Washington’s campaign, signaling continued interest in encouraging political change from within Cuba.
Havana’s immediate rejection of the statements underscores the continuing confrontation between the two governments.
For now, Trump’s comments represent a renewed warning rather than a confirmed military plan, leaving open whether the administration will pursue further negotiations, additional economic measures or more direct intervention once operations involving Iran conclude.
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