Trump Issues 'Last Moments' Warning for Cuba

Cuban leader calls U.S. summit a 'neocolonial' push for military force in Latin America

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning about the imminent collapse of the Cuban government, calling for Latin American countries to join the U.S. in using military force against drug cartels. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel criticized the U.S.-led 'Shield of the Americas' summit, calling it a 'neocolonial' effort to commit countries to the 'lethal use of U.S. military force.' Trump said he looks 'forward to the great change that will soon be coming to Cuba' and claimed the current government in Havana is in 'its last moments of life.'

Why it matters

The Trump administration's renewed pressure on Cuba comes as the U.S. is also focused on military action in Iran. The U.S. has been increasingly willing to use military force to achieve its goals, including in anti-drug trafficking efforts across Latin America. This raises concerns about potential U.S. military intervention in Cuba and the broader region.

The details

At a summit in Florida, Trump called for broad crackdowns on drug cartels operating in the Americas and repeated predictions of Cuba's imminent collapse. Cuban leader Díaz-Canel criticized the 'neocolonial' summit, claiming it committed Latin American countries to 'accepting the lethal use of U.S. military force.' Trump said he looks 'forward to the great change that will soon be coming to Cuba' and that the current government is in 'its last moments of life.' The U.S. has increased pressure on Cuba, including threats of tariffs and the capture of Venezuela's president.

  • The Trump administration meeting with Latin American leaders took place on Saturday.
  • A meeting of senior military chiefs from Latin American countries, called the Americas Counter Cartel Conference, was held on Thursday.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who convened the 'Shield of the Americas' summit and issued warnings about the imminent collapse of the Cuban government.

Miguel Díaz-Canel

The President of Cuba who criticized the 'neocolonial' U.S. summit and claimed it committed Latin American countries to 'accepting the lethal use of U.S. military force.'

Pete Hegseth

The U.S. Defense Secretary who called for countries south of the U.S. to join America in going 'on the offense' against drug cartels.

Nicolás Maduro

The former President of Venezuela who was captured by U.S. forces in Caracas in January and is now detained in New York facing narcoterrorism charges.

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What they’re saying

“We have to use our military. You have to use your military.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Newsweek)

“The only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the power of our militaries.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Newsweek)

“You have to join us on the offense.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary (Newsweek)

What’s next

The judge in the case of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will decide on Tuesday whether to allow him to be released on bail.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's renewed pressure on Cuba, including threats of military force, comes as the U.S. is also focused on military action in Iran. This raises concerns about potential U.S. intervention in Cuba and the broader Latin American region, with implications for regional stability and U.S. foreign policy.