Trump would've gone to Cuba.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the United States would address the situation in Cuba immediately following its military engagement with Iran. Speaking at a campaign rally in Fort Myers, Florida, the president outlined a plan involving naval vessels positioning themselves near the Cuban coastline to compel the local government to surrender. He indicated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would subsequently be dispatched to finalize the transition of power. The remarks were delivered at Alico Arena on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University. During the event, a member of the audience inquired about the status of U.S. policy toward the Caribbean island. Trump responded by asserting that the administration would prioritize Cuba once operations in Iran concluded. He described a scenario where American ships would sail past the island, with one vessel halting approximately fifty kilometers from the shore. According to the president, this display of force would result in Cuban officials raising their hands in submission. He then proposed sending Rubio to the island to manage the aftermath. Trump added that the ships might not even need to stop, suggesting Rubio could simply be placed in the region to resolve the situation independently. Shortly after the speech, Rubio posted on social media platforms urging Cubans who desire positive changes to act now. He called on citizens to cooperate cautiously with the Central Intelligence Agency. Rubio characterized the current moment as an opportunity for those frustrated by unfulfilled promises, corruption, and the privileged lifestyles of a small elite. This public statement confirmed that American intelligence operatives are actively working within Cuba. Historical records show that the CIA organized the failed Bay of Pigs invasion by Cuban exiles in 1961 and orchestrated numerous assassination attempts against the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro over several decades. Bruno Rodriguez, the Cuban foreign minister, quickly rejected Trump’s threats via social media. He noted that while Cuba possesses beautiful beaches, it also features sharp reefs and a hostile environment for anyone attempting to land with hostile intent. High-ranking officials in the Trump administration have hinted for months at the possibility of military intervention or regime change in Cuba. However, the administration is currently focused on managing the consequences of the conflict with Iran. These ongoing issues pose a risk of defeat for Republicans in the congressional elections scheduled for November 3. Washington has intensified economic, political, and legal pressure on the Cuban government. Florida authorities recently filed charges against Raul Castro, the former president of Cuba, regarding the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft carrying Cuban activists. Earlier in the year, Trump utilized a federal indictment as justification for military action in Venezuela, which resulted in the ouster of former President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro had previously supplied oil to Cuba. The United States has implemented an energy blockade against Cuba and threatened sanctions against any nation supplying fuel to the island. Russia continues to provide such supplies, though Trump recently lifted sanctions on Moscow due to a diesel transaction benefiting the United States. In September, the administration announced additional sanctions targeting Cuban elites, financial networks, and resource operations. The State Department accused the Cuban government of threatening U.S. national security. Rubio has publicly questioned the longevity of the current Cuban system, describing it in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity as a failure under leaders promoting an ineffective revolution. The rally in Fort Myers was designed to support Republican Representative Byron Donalds in his gubernatorial race against Democrat David Jolly. Cuba remains a significant political issue in Florida, where the Cuban American community constitutes an influential voting bloc. Trump has expressed a desire to fundamentally alter the island’s communist government, increasing pressure on Havana throughout his second term. The administration’s strategy combines diplomatic isolation, economic strangulation, and explicit threats of military force to achieve regime change.