New York, March 6: US President Donald Trump said Thursday, March 5, that the collapse of the Cuban government is a “question of time,” suggesting that the United States will shift its focus toward regime change on the island once its current military objectives in Iran are completed. Speaking at a White House reception honoring the 2025 MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami CF, Trump indicated that while his administration is currently prioritised on the escalating war in the Middle East, a similar transformation in Havana is inevitable. "We want to fix, finish this one first, but that will be just a question of time before you and a lot of unbelievable people are going to be going back to Cuba," Trump told a crowd that included several prominent members of the Cuban-American community.

The President's comments come amid a deepening crisis in Cuba, which is currently reeling from a severe energy blockade imposed by the United States. Following the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, a key oil supplier for the island, Havana has seen its fuel stocks vanish and its electrical grid paralysed by frequent blackouts. Addressing Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, Trump praised the ongoing diplomatic and economic pressure campaign, telling him, “You’ve been doing a fantastic job on a place called Cuba.” 'Iran Calling to Make Deal': Donald Trump Says Tehran ‘A Little Late’ to Seek Talks After Heavy Military Losses.

Donald Trump Says He Wants To Finish Iran Then Cuba 'Just Question Of Time'

Linking Iran and Cuba Strategies

The President explicitly linked the "success" of recent US and Israeli military actions in Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, to his future plans for the Caribbean. He suggested that the "rebuilding" of the US military during his first term has provided the leverage necessary to force leadership changes in hostile nations. Trump told reporters that the Cuban leadership is already "trying to cut a deal" with Washington because they have "no money" and "no anything right now."

While Trump has previously floated the idea of a "friendly takeover" of Cuba, his Thursday remarks were more direct regarding the timeline. He characterised Cuba as a "failing nation" and noted that the total cut-off of Venezuelan oil, enforced by threats of tariffs against other potential suppliers, has pushed the communist government to the brink of collapse. Donald Trump Says US Is ‘Starting To Talk to Cuba’ As He Moves To Cut Its Oil Supplies.

The humanitarian situation on the island has reached a critical point. No oil has been imported into Cuba since January 9, forcing the grounded of airlines and the shuttering of major industrial sectors. Handpicked President Miguel Diaz-Canel has attempted to implement harsh austerity measures to "resist" US pressure, but the Trump administration has largely sidelined him in favor of backchannel conversations with other figures on the island.

Secretary Rubio has reportedly been in talks with individuals close to Raúl Castro to negotiate a potential transition. The US maintains that its "zero-tolerance policy" for the Cuban regime is necessary to protect national security, citing the island's historical hosting of military capabilities from adversaries like Russia and Iran.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 06, 2026 09:11 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).