President Donald Trump told reporters that he has the authority to do “anything” he wants with Cuba, indicating it could be next on his list of countries to “take.” The comments came as his administration continues to wage war against Iran.
Donald Trump talks about Cuba to reporters
The president made the remarks during an executive order signing ceremony at the White House when a reporter asked about Cuba. Donald Trump responded that he could “take” the entire island and suggested he would likely have the “honor” of doing so in some form.
“I do believe I’ll be the honor of– have the honor of taking Cuba. That would be good. That’s a big honor,” Trump said. Fox News White House reporter Peter Doocy sought clarification. “Taking Cuba?” he asked. Trump confirmed, “Taking Cuba. In some form, yeah. Taking Cuba.”
Trump then expanded on his view of executive authority regarding the nation. “I mean, whether I free it, or take it…I think I can do anything I want with it, to tell you the truth,” Trump stated. The comments regarding Trump’s Cuba policy follow recent statements from Senator Lindsey Graham. He is a Republican from South Carolina who has supported the president’s military campaign against Iran.
Graham told Fox News earlier this month that authoritarian regimes were being targeted one by one, adding, “Cuba’s next. They’re going to follow this communist dictatorship in Cuba. Their days are numbered.”
The war against Iran has now entered its third week, resulting in hundreds of deaths, including 13 American service members. The military campaign has disrupted global oil markets, as Iranian forces have closed off the Strait of Hormuz with sea mines. Approximately 20% of the world’s oil tanker traffic passes through the strait annually.
Trump administration officials have repeatedly stated that the war with Iran will end in the coming days. However, they have declined to outline specific objectives or clarify what has been achieved regarding Iran’s ballistic weapons and nuclear program. Officials have also moved away from initial suggestions of pursuing regime change in Tehran (via Independent).
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
