Trump Suggests US Could “Take” Cuba Amidst Power Crisis and Negotiations

US President Donald Trump has publicly stated his belief that the United States could “take” Cuba, framing it as a potential “honor.” This declaration comes as the island nation grapples with a severe power crisis and amidst ongoing negotiations between Washington and Havana regarding Cuba’s future.

Power Outage and US Pressure

Trump’s comments, made on Monday, followed a widespread power outage that plunged Cuba into darkness on March 16, 2026. The outage is a consequence of a US-imposed oil blockade, which has strangled Cuba’s antiquated power grid as reported by The Guardian. The US cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatened tariffs on any nation continuing oil sales to the country.

“Liberated or Conquered”

“You know, all my life I’ve been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it?” Trump told reporters at the White House. He continued, “I do believe I’ll be… having the honour of taking Cuba,” adding, “Whether I free it, take it – think I could do anything I want with it. They’re a extremely weakened nation right now.”

US Demands Regime Change

According to the New York Times, US officials have recently urged Cuba to remove President Miguel Díaz-Canel from power during ongoing talks . Four unnamed sources familiar with the discussions revealed this demand, suggesting a desire to dismantle key figures within the Cuban government while potentially leaving the existing Communist regime intact.

Broader Context: US Policy Towards Cuba

The current escalation in pressure on Cuba follows the US seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, a move that significantly impacted Cuba, which relies heavily on Venezuela as a key foreign benefactor. This action is part of a broader pattern of intensified US policy towards Cuba, formally outlined in a Presidential Action addressing perceived threats from the Cuban government .

Cuban Alignment with Adversaries

The White House asserts that the Cuban government poses an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security and foreign policy. The document details concerns about Cuba’s alignment with countries considered hostile to the US, including Russia, China, Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah. Specifically, it cites the presence of Russia’s largest overseas signals intelligence facility in Cuba, which is accused of attempting to steal sensitive US national security information .

Bulgarian Travel Advisory

Amidst the escalating situation, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned of a potential deterioration of conditions in Cuba. The Ministry cites fuel shortages, prolonged power outages, and disruptions to transportation, negatively impacting tourism, healthcare, and food supplies. Bulgaria advises against travel to Cuba and urges citizens currently in the country to maintain contact with airlines and tour operators, secure essential resources, and avoid large gatherings .