Trump Suggests 'Friendly Takeover' of Cuba

President Trump floats idea of U.S. taking control of Cuba as communist regime faces crisis

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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President Trump suggested on Friday that the U.S. could carry out a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba, as the Trump administration has increased pressure on the communist regime in Havana through a fuel blockade. Trump said the Cuban government is 'in a big deal of trouble' and 'have no money, no anything right now', hinting at the possibility of the U.S. taking control of the island nation in a non-hostile manner.

Why it matters

Trump's remarks come amid an escalating crisis in Cuba, where the U.S. fuel blockade has strained the island's economy and daily life. The U.S. and Cuban governments have also been in tense negotiations, with reports of a meeting between U.S. officials and the grandson of former Cuban president Raúl Castro. This 'friendly takeover' proposal could signal a major shift in U.S. policy toward Cuba.

The details

Trump imposed the fuel blockade on Cuba in late January through an executive order, in an effort to collapse the communist regime which relies heavily on energy and food imports. The UN has warned that daily life in Cuba is 'becoming fragile' due to the strains on healthcare, water, and food distribution. U.S. officials reportedly met with Raúl Castro's grandson, who oversees Cuba's military-run conglomerate that controls much of the island's economy.

  • On January 31, 2026, Trump imposed a fuel blockade on Cuba through an executive order.
  • On March 1, 2026, Trump suggested the possibility of a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who is suggesting a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba.

Raúl Castro

The 94-year-old former president of Cuba and the de facto leader of the communist regime.

Raúl Guillermo Rodriguez Castro

The grandson of Raúl Castro who serves as his grandfather's bodyguard and oversees Cuba's military-run conglomerate GAESA, which controls much of the island's economy.

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What they’re saying

“The Cuban government is talking with us. They're in a big deal of trouble, as you know. They have no money, no anything right now. Maybe we'll have a friendly takeover of Cuba. We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba.”

— Donald Trump (cenlanow.com)

What’s next

The U.S. and Cuban governments are expected to continue negotiations over the fuel blockade and the potential for a 'friendly takeover' of the island nation.

The takeaway

Trump's proposal of a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba signals a major shift in U.S. policy toward the communist regime, as the island nation faces a deepening economic and humanitarian crisis due to the U.S. fuel blockade. This move could have significant geopolitical implications in the region and raises questions about the future of U.S.-Cuba relations.