Trump Touts Progress in Iran Talks, Success in Venezuela, and Hints at Cuba Next

The former president signals a shift in foreign policy approach, emphasizing negotiations over military force.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:37am

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In a speech at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, former President Donald Trump signaled a shift in his administration's foreign policy approach. He touted progress in negotiations with Iran and the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, hinting that 'Cuba is next.' Trump also criticized NATO's absence in the Iran negotiations, saying it was a 'tremendous mistake' and that the U.S. may no longer need to protect them financially.

Why it matters

Trump's comments suggest a potential move away from his previous 'war with strength' rhetoric and a greater emphasis on diplomacy and negotiation in his foreign policy approach. This shift could have significant implications for U.S. relations with Iran, Venezuela, and potentially Cuba, as well as the role of NATO in global security.

The details

In his speech, Trump said that even though he campaigned on 'peace through strength,' sometimes force is necessary. He praised the administration's success in capturing Maduro in Venezuela and hinted that 'Cuba is next.' Trump also criticized NATO's absence in the Iran negotiations, saying it was a 'tremendous mistake' and that the U.S. may no longer need to protect them financially. The president also discussed the Strait of Hormuz, pressuring NATO to help the U.S. reopen it and stating that the U.S. will 'have control of anything we want.'

  • Trump made these comments on March 28, 2026, during a speech at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute Summit in Miami Beach, Florida.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who made these comments about foreign policy and negotiations with Iran, Venezuela, and potentially Cuba.

Nicolás Maduro

The former leader of Venezuela who was captured by the Trump administration, according to the former president's comments.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which Trump criticized for its absence in the Iran negotiations, stating that it was a 'tremendous mistake.'

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What they’re saying

“'And Cuba is next, by the way. But pretend I didn't say that. Please, please, please media, please disregard that statement. Thank you very much — Cuba's next.'”

— Donald Trump, Former President

“'They just weren't there. It's going to make a lot of money for the United States because we spent hundreds of billions of dollars a year on NATO, hundreds of protecting them. And we would have always been there for them. But now, based on their actions, I guess we don't have to be, do we?'”

— Donald Trump, Former President

“'We're negotiating [with Iran] now, and it would be great if we could do something, but they have to open it up. They have to open up the Strait of Trump — I mean, Hormuz. … The fake news will say he accidentally said [that]. No, there's no accidents with me.'”

— Donald Trump, Former President

What’s next

It remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will follow through on its hints of potential action against Cuba, as well as the ongoing negotiations with Iran and the situation in Venezuela.

The takeaway

Trump's comments suggest a potential shift in his administration's foreign policy approach, moving away from a 'war with strength' rhetoric and towards a greater emphasis on diplomacy and negotiation. This shift could have significant implications for U.S. relations with Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and NATO, as the former president hinted at potential changes in the U.S. role in global security.