Donald Trump said that Cuba is in its “last moments of life” while speaking to Latin American leaders gathered at his golf club in Doral, Florida during an event the White House described as the “Shield of the Americas” summit. The president used the meeting to discuss political developments across Latin America and suggested that major changes could soon take place on the communist-run island. Trump’s remarks came as he reviewed recent U.S. foreign policy actions in the region and emphasized his administration’s belief that political and economic shifts are occurring throughout the Western Hemisphere. According to Trump, Cuba’s current economic struggles and political situation indicate that the country may soon face significant transformation. He suggested that the United States could play a role in shaping that future if negotiations between the two governments move forward.

Trump turned to the subject of Cuba after discussing events in Venezuela, where he said the United States had recently carried out military operations that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Maduro has long been considered a key ally of the Cuban government, and political developments in Venezuela have historically had a strong impact on the Cuban economy. Venezuela has supplied Cuba with oil and economic assistance for years, helping support the island’s energy needs. Trump suggested that changes in Venezuela could indirectly affect Cuba’s stability and increase pressure on the Cuban government. As he addressed the gathering, the president argued that the transformation taking place in Venezuela could be followed by similar changes in Cuba. He described the situation as part of a broader shift occurring across parts of Latin America.

While discussing the island nation, Trump delivered some of his strongest language about the Cuban government. He described the country as “very much at the end of the line,” citing economic hardship and limited resources. According to the president, Cuba currently faces severe financial problems, energy shortages, and declining economic activity. He also criticized the political system on the island, referring to it as a “bad regime” and claiming its governing philosophy has contributed to the country’s current difficulties. Trump argued that these conditions have left Cuba struggling to maintain its economy and infrastructure. His remarks echoed long-standing criticisms from U.S. policymakers who have opposed the Cuban government for decades and have frequently described the country’s centralized economic system as a cause of its financial problems.

During the summit, Trump also suggested that discussions between the United States and Cuba might already be taking place. He said that the Cuban government is currently communicating with Marco Rubio, who serves as the U.S. Secretary of State. According to Trump, negotiations could lead to an agreement that would reshape relations between the two countries. The president said he believes any deal might come together relatively quickly if talks continue to progress. At the same time, he acknowledged that the administration’s immediate focus remains on international issues elsewhere, including tensions involving Iran. While speaking at the event, Trump joked about Rubio’s heavy workload, suggesting the secretary might only need a brief break before returning to negotiations with Cuba.

The idea of a potential agreement with Cuba has surfaced several times in Trump’s recent comments. Earlier in the month, the president mentioned the possibility of what he described as a “friendly takeover” of the island nation. He repeated the phrase while speaking to reporters outside the White House before departing for a trip to Texas. Trump again said that high-level discussions were underway and that Cuban officials were communicating with the United States about possible cooperation. However, he did not explain what he meant by the phrase “friendly takeover,” and the administration has not provided detailed clarification about what such an arrangement might involve. The comments nevertheless attracted significant attention because they suggested the possibility of a major shift in U.S.–Cuba relations after decades of tension between the two governments.

Trump’s statements came shortly after a separate incident near Cuba’s northern coast heightened tensions between the two countries. Cuban authorities reported that a speedboat registered in Florida approached the island carrying armed individuals who opened fire on Cuban soldiers. According to the Cuban government, several of the attackers were killed and others injured during the exchange of gunfire, while a Cuban official was also wounded. Cuban authorities later confirmed that they had begun communicating with U.S. officials about the incident. Rubio stated that agencies including the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard were investigating what happened. The confrontation added another layer of complexity to the already tense relationship between Washington and Havana, though both governments indicated they were discussing the situation through official channels.

Cuba has remained a central topic in Trump’s foreign policy remarks in recent weeks, especially following the developments in Venezuela involving Maduro. The Cuban government has long relied on economic ties with Venezuela, particularly shipments of oil that helped support the island’s energy supply. Trump argued that changes in Venezuela could further weaken Cuba’s already struggling economy. He suggested that the loss of Venezuelan oil support might place additional pressure on the Cuban government and accelerate political or economic change on the island. At the same time, Trump said military action against Cuba might not be necessary if economic conditions continue to deteriorate. According to the president, the country is already facing severe challenges and may eventually seek outside assistance.

As Trump concluded his remarks at the summit, he emphasized that his administration believes significant developments could occur throughout Latin America in the coming years. He suggested that shifts in Venezuela and Cuba could signal broader political and economic changes across the region. While many details about potential negotiations remain unclear, the president’s comments indicate that U.S. officials are closely monitoring the situation and considering how the United States might respond. Whether discussions between Washington and Havana will lead to a concrete agreement remains uncertain. However, Trump’s statements show that the future of Cuba—and its relationship with the United States—has once again become a major subject in American foreign policy discussions.