‘I Can Do Anything’: Trump Escalates Rhetoric on Cuba as Island Faces Blackout and Deepening Crisis

U.S. President Donald Trump intensified his rhetoric on Cuba on Monday, asserting that he expected to have the “honor” of “taking Cuba in some form” and declaring “I can do anything I want” with the Caribbean island nation, during a White House press briefing.

“I do believe I’ll be having the honor of taking Cuba. I think that’s a big honour. Taking Cuba in some form,” Trump said at the briefing.

The statements came as Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout after its national power grid collapsed, a development linked by analysts to the severe fuel shortage on the island following a U.S.‑led oil blockade.

The blackout plunged the country into darkness, affecting millions of residents, and sparked fresh public protests.

Why is Cuba facing a power outage despite no technical failures?

Cuban officials noted that there were no reports of failures in operating power units, suggesting the outage was driven by a lack of fuel supplies rather than technical faults.

Cuba’s crisis has deepened in recent months as U.S. policies have cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to the country, a key source of fuel, leaving the island with dwindling energy reserves.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel said last week that the country had not received a major fuel shipment in three months due to what Havana described as an embargo from Washington.

The United States also warned other nations against sending fuel to Cuba.

Despite the hostile rhetoric, Cuba and the United States have opened talks in an effort to improve their fraught bilateral relationship.

The dialogue occurs at one of the most contentious moments in more than six decades since Fidel Castro’s revolution, with both countries under intense pressure over the deteriorating conditions on the island.

Is the US pushing for President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s removal in Cuba talks?

Cuban authorities have confirmed that talks are underway aimed at addressing the blockade’s impacts, though details remain limited.

According to a report from The New York Times, U.S. negotiators have signaled to Cuban officials that the removal of President Miguel Díaz‑Canel from office is considered a key objective in the discussions, though officials would leave decisions about next steps to the Cubans themselves.

Trump also suggested the timing for a deal with Cuba could come after his administration has concluded its focus on other global issues, including military action against Iran.

“I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do,” he said during the briefing.

The Trump administration has been applying economic pressure on Cuba in hopes of making the country more financially dependent on the United States and to bring about political change after 67 years of one‑party rule.

Trump reiterated his long‑standing criticism about the U.S.–Cuba relations: “You know, all my life I’ve been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it?” he said on Monday.

Cuba’s blackout crisis has also amplified social unrest, with protests erupting across the country. Authorities reported demonstrations as Cubans reacted to the loss of power and escalating shortages of basic necessities.

(With inputs from ANI)