Wayne Lumbasi
US President Donald Trump has indicated that he would consider military intervention in Cuba, declaring that he wants to “get Cuba done” before leaving office in January 2029, raising fresh concerns over escalating tensions between the United States and the Caribbean island nation.
Speaking during a telephone interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Thursday, November 12, Trump was asked whether he would authorize military force to bring about political change in Cuba.
“I want to get Cuba done before I leave,” Trump responded, referring to Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a key figure in his administration’s approach to the island.
When pressed on whether he would consider a limited military campaign, Trump replied: “I would certainly consider that, yes.”
The remarks represent a significant escalation in the US administration’s public rhetoric towards Cuba, with Trump explicitly acknowledging military force as a possible option and setting a timeframe for his administration’s ambitions. Trump also highlighted Rubio’s Cuban family background and his longstanding opposition to Cuba’s communist government.
Escalating Economic Pressure
The comments come amid an increasingly difficult economic and humanitarian situation in Cuba, which has experienced fuel shortages, food insecurity, electricity disruptions and declining economic activity.
The Trump administration intensified its pressure campaign against Cuba in January 2026, imposing restrictions on oil supplies and threatening tariffs against countries that provide petroleum to the island.
The measures followed the disruption of Venezuelan oil supplies, a longstanding source of energy for Cuba. The US government maintains that its pressure campaign is intended to force political and economic changes in Cuba, while Cuban authorities have condemned the restrictions as collective punishment and an infringement on national sovereignty.
Cuba Warns Against Intervention
Cuban officials have repeatedly rejected external attempts to determine the country’s political future and have indicated that the island is prepared to defend itself against possible military aggression.Cuba maintains that its political system and sovereignty are non-negotiable issues.
Despite the increasingly confrontational rhetoric, diplomatic communication between the two countries has continued, although significant disagreements remain over sanctions, economic restrictions and political reforms.
Regional & International Implications
Any US military intervention in Cuba could trigger a major geopolitical crisis across Latin America and the Caribbean. The island has longstanding diplomatic and strategic relationships with countries including Russia and China, raising the possibility that military escalation could extend beyond a bilateral confrontation.
Such an intervention would also raise serious questions under international law, particularly the United Nations Charter’s prohibition on the use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of sovereign states.
For now, Trump’s remarks do not constitute an announcement of military action, and there is no public confirmation that an invasion has been authorized or that operational preparations have begun.
Nevertheless, his willingness to consider military force, coupled with his stated ambition to address the Cuban question before January 2029, places renewed pressure on an already strained relationship.
The central question now is whether the United States will pursue its objectives through economic pressure and diplomatic negotiations or move towards direct military confrontation with Cuba.
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