'Thank you very much, we give up': Trump reveals plan to take over Cuba
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump said the United States intends to take control of Cuba "almost immediately." He made the statement during a speech in West Palm Beach (Florida) to members of the local Forum club, according to Fox News.
The American leader mentioned Cuba, claiming that the United States would be "taking over almost immediately."
"Cuba’s got problems. We’ll finish one first," he said, referring to the war with Iran.
"On the way back from Iran, we'll have one of our big — maybe the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier — the biggest in the world. We'll have that come in, stop about 100 yards offshore, and they’ll say, 'Thank you very much, we give up,'" Trump said.
Trump did not add any further secret details about a potential takeover of Cuba. The White House did not respond to Fox News journalists' questions on whether the remarks were hypothetical or outline actual US policy plans.
What the US intends regarding Cuba
A maritime blockade of Cuba imposed by Trump is currently ongoing, and the island is suffering from shortages of oil and energy resources, as it is fully dependent on imports from other countries.
Trump has also imposed new sanctions against senior Cuban officials as part of a months-long pressure campaign against Cuba.
Trump's administration says Cuba poses a national security threat to the United States, while Havana fully rejects these claims.
Despite the Iran issue, Trump has not forgotten about Cuba. He recently again mentioned the possibility of a military operation against the island, calling it a "new dawn for Cuba."
The US State Department has also informed Congress of data suggesting that Cuba may have sent up to 5,000 fighters to take part in the war against Ukraine on Russia's side.
