Dem Rep. Warns Operation Epic Fury Sets Dangerous Precedent

McGovern says China and Russia may use US actions in Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran as justification to invade Taiwan and Ukraine

Mar. 18, 2026 at 10:56am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In an interview, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) warned that the US's aggressive foreign policy actions, such as the proposed 'Operation Epic Fury' to overthrow the Cuban government, could set a dangerous precedent that China and Russia may use to justify invading Taiwan and Ukraine. McGovern argued the people of Cuba should determine their own future, not the US, and that the US cannot simply 'bully' its way around the world and take over other countries.

Why it matters

McGovern's comments highlight concerns that the US's interventionist foreign policy could have unintended consequences, potentially giving authoritarian rivals like China and Russia a pretext to pursue their own territorial ambitions under the guise of the US's actions.

The details

In the interview, McGovern criticized the Trump administration's proposed 'Operation Epic Fury' to overthrow the Cuban government, saying the people of Cuba should determine their own future. He warned that China and Russia may view the US's aggressive actions in places like Venezuela, Iran, and now Cuba as justification to invade Taiwan and Ukraine, respectively.

  • The interview took place on Tuesday, March 18, 2026 on Bloomberg's 'Balance of Power' program.

The players

Rep. Jim McGovern

A Democratic Congressman from Massachusetts who expressed concerns about the potential unintended consequences of the US's interventionist foreign policy.

Donald Trump

The former US President who McGovern criticized for his aggressive 'bullying' approach to foreign policy and desire to turn Cuba into a 'US client state'.

Marco Rubio

A Republican Senator from Florida who McGovern said, along with 'a bunch of Cuban exiles in Miami', should not be the ones determining Cuba's future.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“China is probably saying, hey, you know what, now's a time — now's a good time for me to go in and take over Taiwan or Russia's saying don't talk to me about Ukraine, because you're going into Venezuela, you're going into Iran, you're going into now, Cuba. Come on, this is crazy.”

— Rep. Jim McGovern, Congressman

“The bottom line is, the people of Cuba should determine their future, not Donald Trump, not Marco Rubio, not a bunch of Cuban exiles in Miami who, quite frankly, haven't been on the island for decades.”

— Rep. Jim McGovern, Congressman

What’s next

The proposed 'Operation Epic Fury' to overthrow the Cuban government will likely be a topic of continued debate and controversy in the coming months.

The takeaway

McGovern's warnings highlight the potential for the US's aggressive foreign policy actions to backfire, potentially giving authoritarian rivals like China and Russia justification to pursue their own territorial ambitions under the guise of the US's precedent. This underscores the need for a more measured and thoughtful approach to foreign policy that prioritizes diplomacy and respects the self-determination of other nations.