Trump: Believes He Will Be Fortunate Enough to Take Cuba

President Trump said on Monday at the White House that he believes he would be fortunate to take over Cuba.

Trump said, “Take over Cuba. I mean, either liberate it or take control of it. I think I can do whatever I want with it. They are now a very weak country.”

At the time of his remarks, Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout again, leaving about 10 million people without power. The Cuban Electric Union posted on social media that the national power system was completely shut down on Monday, and an investigation into the cause is underway. Power restoration procedures have been initiated.

Since Venezuelan President Maduro was forcibly taken control of by the U.S. in January this year, Washington has increased pressure on Cuba. Trump cut off Venezuela’s oil supplies to Cuba and threatened to impose tariffs on all countries selling oil to Cuba, worsening the already aging Cuban power grid. Last week, the Cuban government stated that it had begun negotiations with the U.S. in hopes of easing the crisis.

Additionally, The New York Times reported that as U.S. and Cuban officials began negotiations over Cuba’s future, the Trump administration is reportedly trying to force Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel to step down. The Trump administration issued a warning that if Cuba refuses to cooperate, it could face a similar outcome as Venezuela. In January, Venezuelan leader Maduro was detained by U.S. forces after refusing to step down.