Trump moots toppling Cuba authorities before leaving office

What the report says

US President Donald Trump has again suggested he may use military force against Cuba, saying in a radio interview that he would “certainly consider” such action and wanted to “get Cuba done” before leaving office in 2029. Al Jazeera reported that Trump described the island as a failing state and said his administration was watching developments closely. He also said Secretary of State Marco Rubio would support the idea, and linked his comments to Cuban-American voters in Florida.

The remarks add a timeframe to a pressure campaign Trump has already stepped up this year. According to Al Jazeera, he has repeatedly threatened to help remove Cuba’s authorities, including comments in March and again on Monday suggesting the government could fall soon. The article says Trump imposed a de facto oil blockade in January after cutting off Venezuelan oil supplies to the island and warning other countries not to send fuel to Cuba.

Cuban officials have condemned the measures as collective punishment, and Al Jazeera noted that the blockade has contributed to blackouts, fuel and food shortages, and a wider humanitarian crisis. Washington has also expanded sanctions on Cuban officials and entities. The report adds that talks between the two governments have not produced progress, while Cuban officials say the country is prepared for any attack. For context, the article cites previous US military signaling but says the head of US Southern Command told senators in March that troops were not rehearsing an invasion.