Trump Discusses 'Friendly Takeover' Of Cuba Amid Venezuela Crisis

On February 28, 2026, President Donald Trump reiterated the possibility of a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba, a sentiment that has been brewing since early January following the ousting of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Trump stated, 'They have no money, they have no anything right now. But they’re talking with us and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba,' highlighting the precarious economic situation of the Cuban government. This remark comes amid a strict oil embargo imposed by the US, which has further exacerbated Cuba's economic crisis, a situation Trump described as a 'big deal of trouble.' The US's recent actions in Venezuela have left Cuba isolated, prompting discussions about potential intervention in the region (The Hindu, Business Recorder, The Guardian, Financial Times).