Former U.S. President Donald Trump has declared his anticipation for what he termed “the honour of taking Cuba,” during remarks made as the Caribbean nation struggled with a catastrophic nationwide power outage. Speaking to press corps at the White House on Monday, Trump suggested the United States could play a definitive role in shaping Cuba’s political trajectory.
“Throughout my lifetime, the subject of U.S. relations with Cuba has persisted. The question always arises—when will America act?” Trump stated to journalists. He further asserted, “I am confident that I will have the privilege of assuming control over Cuba. Whether that means liberating it or acquiring it—I possess the capability to execute any course of action. In reality, they currently function as a severely weakened state.”
These statements coincided with another massive electrical failure across Cuba, following the collapse of the national power grid earlier that day. This incident represents the most recent in an escalating series of blackouts, exacerbated by antiquated infrastructure, persistent fuel scarcities, and restrictions on petroleum imports.
A university student from Saint Lucia presently studying in Cuba confirmed to St. Lucia Times that although a complete blackout occurred, power was reinstated by approximately 9:00 p.m. the same evening. The student noted that prolonged daily outages lasting six to seven hours have become commonplace.
Regional authorities have recognized the deteriorating humanitarian situation. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), following its February 27 summit in St. Kitts and Nevis, committed to formulating a coordinated humanitarian assistance strategy for Cuba. While CARICOM indicated that a comprehensive plan would be finalized imminently, no subsequent public updates have been provided regarding these initiatives.