It will be a great honour to “take” Cuba: Trump – SABC News

US President Donald Trump has suggested that he would “take” the island nation of Cuba, adding that it would be a great honour.
Trump was responding to media questions in the Oval Office amid on ongoing US oil blockage that has imperilled Cuba’s already battered economy and affected communications, the healthcare system and transportation, among others.
Amid ongoing talks between Washington and Havana, The New York Times reports that the Trump administration was seeking to push President Miguel Díaz-Canel from power, citing four unnamed sources but that the US was leaving the next steps to the Cubans.

From NYTIMES:Trump Administration Said to Tell Cuba That Its President Has to Go
The United States has told Cuba that for meaningful progress to be made in negotiations, President Miguel Díaz-Canel must step down, said people familiar with the talks.
— Sherwin Bryce-Pease (@sherwiebp) March 17, 2026

Cuba’s capital Havana is experiencing a nationwide blackout affecting all 11 million people as the country’s energy crisis deepens due to a US imposed oil blockade. Citizens have been banging pots and pans to vent their frustration.
Lazaro Hernandez is a Havana resident: “It is not just the blackout. There is no water, no electricity, no gas. There is no water because there is no electricity to run the pumps. There is no electricity, no food, no oil, no fuel, and private businesses have high prices because everything is going up now, since they have to move their goods by truck and transport. All of this is really very bad.”
76 year-old resident, Gladys Valdes says, “I live on the 17th floor of this building, and it is very hard to go out, come back, and now I have to climb 17 floors, and when I get there, there is no water, because there has been no electricity all day. It is very hard. And if you are carrying groceries, what you need to cook and eat, it is even harder, believe me.”
As Cubans seek out their survival under trying conditions, talks between Washington and Havana ongoing as Trump riffs about what might come next.
“I can tell you that they’re talking to us. It’s a failed nation. They have no money. They have no oil. They have no nothing. They have nice land. They have nice landscape, you know? It’s a beautiful island. But I think Cubans…You know, all my life I’ve been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? I do believe I’ll be the honor of, having the honor of taking Cuba. That would be, that’s it’s a big honour,” Trump said.
Journalist: “Taking Cuba?”
Trump: “Taking Cuba in some form. I mean, whether I free it, take it. I think I could do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth. They’re a very weak nation, right now. They were for a long time. Very violent, very violent leaders. (Fidel) Castro was a very violent leader. His brother is a very violent leader. Extremely violent. That’s how they governed. They governed with violence. But a lot of people would like to go back.”
Trump adds, “The purpose of these conversations is, firstly, to identify what bilateral problems need a solution based on their severity, their impact, and on the other hand, to find solutions for these identified problems. In the exchanges that have been held, we have expressed, that is, the Cuban side has expressed the willingness to carry out this process on the basis of equality and respect for the political systems of both states, for the sovereignty and self-determination of our governments. And this has been raised taking into account a sense of reciprocity and adherence to international law.”
The US oil blockage comes on top of a multi-generational economic embargo on the island imposed by the United States 66 years ago – despite an annual resolution by the UN General Assembly demanding an end to the restrictions imposed by Washington – as the UN worries about the deteriorating humanitarian consequences.
UNSG’s Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric says, “We very much welcome the dialogue as a means to peacefully resolve the bilateral disputes. The Secretary-General is also encouraged by the news that the Cuban government has released 51 prisoners. We remain very much concerned by the situation in Cuba, where the inability to import fuel has an obvious and negative impact on health systems, access to food and water.”
As the country’s economy crumbles, Cuba’s government last week extended an invitation to Cuban Americans and other exiles living abroad to invest in and own businesses on the island, saying their doors were open, announcing the removal of impediments to US businesses investing in Cuba.
The only problem with that, US law currently still prevents any trade and investment under the long-running economic embargo.
The ongoing talks with Washington likely to determine what happens next — as the US asserts its military and economic might in violation of the international rules-based order and as evidenced by its actions in Venezuela and Iran.

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