Trump jokes US Navy will take over Cuba 'almost immediately' on way back from Iran
Donald Trump joked in a Palm Beach speech that a US aircraft carrier could force Cuba to surrender on its way back from Iran. The remark came as his administration continued its months-long push for sweeping changes in Cuba and amid repeated military threats.
US President Donald Trump on Friday joked that the American Navy could turn its attention to Cuba “on the way back from Iran,” in remarks that quickly drew attention amid ongoing tensions with Havana. Speaking at an event hosted by the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in Washington, Trump made the comment during a wider speech that included several off-topic digressions.
“Cuba’s got problems,” he said, before adding a hypothetical scenario involving a US aircraft carrier approaching the island. Referring to the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), Trump said it could “stop about 100 yards offshore,” prompting Cuba to concede, adding, “Thank you very much. We give up.”
The Trump administration is in the midst of a months-long campaign to press the Cuban government to make sweeping reforms. Trump has repeatedly warned that the US could take military action against the island if its demands are not met. US officials also indicated the latest order carries an implicit warning, accusing Havana of enabling hostile intelligence and militant activity close to American territory.
SANCTIONS EXPANDED, GLOBAL NET WIDENS
Earlier in the day, Trump signed an executive order broadening US sanctions against Cuba, targeting individuals, entities and affiliates linked to the government’s security apparatus, as well as those accused of corruption and human rights violations.
The order extends to “any foreign person” operating in key sectors such as energy, defence, mining, financial services and security, and authorises secondary sanctions against those facilitating transactions with designated entities.
It was not immediately clear who had been named under the new measures.
CUBA CALLS SANCTIONS COERCIVE
Cuban President Miguel Daz-Canel condemned the sanctions as “coercive,” saying they reinforce what he described as a long-standing blockade.
“The blockade and its reinforcement cause so much harm because of the intimidating and arrogant behaviour of the world’s greatest military power,” he said.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodrguez Parrilla called the move “collective punishment” and said Cuba would not be intimidated.
GLOBAL BUSINESS IMPACT
Experts say the order significantly raises risks for international firms dealing with Cuba. Jeremy Paner, a former investigator at the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, said companies that had insulated their Cuba operations from the US market may no longer be shielded.
The sanctions build on earlier US steps, including curbs on oil supplies, which have contributed to fuel shortages and widespread blackouts across the island.
US President Donald Trump on Friday joked that the American Navy could turn its attention to Cuba “on the way back from Iran,” in remarks that quickly drew attention amid ongoing tensions with Havana. Speaking at an event hosted by the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in Washington, Trump made the comment during a wider speech that included several off-topic digressions.
“Cuba’s got problems,” he said, before adding a hypothetical scenario involving a US aircraft carrier approaching the island. Referring to the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), Trump said it could “stop about 100 yards offshore,” prompting Cuba to concede, adding, “Thank you very much. We give up.”
The Trump administration is in the midst of a months-long campaign to press the Cuban government to make sweeping reforms. Trump has repeatedly warned that the US could take military action against the island if its demands are not met. US officials also indicated the latest order carries an implicit warning, accusing Havana of enabling hostile intelligence and militant activity close to American territory.
SANCTIONS EXPANDED, GLOBAL NET WIDENS
Earlier in the day, Trump signed an executive order broadening US sanctions against Cuba, targeting individuals, entities and affiliates linked to the government’s security apparatus, as well as those accused of corruption and human rights violations.
The order extends to “any foreign person” operating in key sectors such as energy, defence, mining, financial services and security, and authorises secondary sanctions against those facilitating transactions with designated entities.
It was not immediately clear who had been named under the new measures.
CUBA CALLS SANCTIONS COERCIVE
Cuban President Miguel Daz-Canel condemned the sanctions as “coercive,” saying they reinforce what he described as a long-standing blockade.
“The blockade and its reinforcement cause so much harm because of the intimidating and arrogant behaviour of the world’s greatest military power,” he said.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodrguez Parrilla called the move “collective punishment” and said Cuba would not be intimidated.
GLOBAL BUSINESS IMPACT
Experts say the order significantly raises risks for international firms dealing with Cuba. Jeremy Paner, a former investigator at the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, said companies that had insulated their Cuba operations from the US market may no longer be shielded.
The sanctions build on earlier US steps, including curbs on oil supplies, which have contributed to fuel shortages and widespread blackouts across the island.
