Trump says Cuba 'will be next' as crisis deepens
Washington, March 30
US President Donald Trump said Cuba "will be next" to face collapse, describing the island nation as a failing state while signalling Washington's willingness to allow oil shipments to ease conditions for its people.
"Cuba's gonna be next... Cuba's a mess. It's a failing country and they're gonna be next," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
He said the United States would step in to support Cuban Americans and others affected. "We will be there to help it out... we'll be there to help our great Cuban Americans out," he said.
Trump attributed Cuba's condition to its leadership. "They have a bad regime. They have very bad and corrupt leadership," he said.
The remarks came as he addressed reports that the United States may allow oil shipments, including from Russia, to reach Cuba amid its economic difficulties.
"I told them if a country wants to send some oil to Cuba right now, I have no problem with that," Trump said.
He added that such shipments would not significantly alter geopolitical dynamics. "Whether it's Russia or not... it doesn't bother me much. It's not gonna have an impact," he said.
Trump argued that allowing fuel supplies would primarily benefit ordinary Cubans rather than the government. "I'd prefer letting it in... because the people need heat and cooling and all of the other things that you need," he said.
At the same time, he maintained that additional oil deliveries would not reverse Cuba's broader trajectory. "Whether or not they get a boat of oil, it's not gonna matter. Cuba's finished," he said.
Trump's comments suggest a dual-track approach, combining pressure on Havana's leadership with limited humanitarian flexibility aimed at mitigating hardship for civilians.
Cuba has faced prolonged economic strain in recent years, marked by fuel shortages, power outages and declining foreign exchange earnings. US sanctions and restrictions, alongside structural challenges within the Cuban economy, have compounded the crisis.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The "dual-track approach" mentioned is classic geopolitical maneuvering. It reminds me of how some policies are framed. The focus should genuinely be on helping ordinary citizens with fuel and essentials, not just making political statements.
As an Indian, I feel for the Cuban people. We understand economic struggles and sanctions. But declaring a country "finished" is very harsh language. Every nation has the resilience to bounce back with the right support and policies. Let's hope for a peaceful resolution.
Allowing oil shipments from Russia is a pragmatic move to ease civilian suffering. The geopolitical angle of "it doesn't bother me much" is quite a shift. The world is truly multipolar now, and even traditional adversaries can be part of a humanitarian solution.
The article shows the complexity of international relations. While the US points to leadership, we must ask if decades of sanctions have also contributed? India's foreign policy of strategic autonomy makes sense more than ever. We should engage with all nations based on mutual interest.
Respectfully, I find the tone of the comments from the US President to be unhelpful. Calling a country a "mess" and "finished" on the world stage isn't diplomacy. It's bullying. India has always advocated for dialogue and respect in international forums. This is a missed opportunity for constructive engagement.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.