Donald Trump threatens naval presence near Cuba

During a political rally in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to address the institutional situation in Cuba following the conclusion of military operations in the Middle East. Trump suggested a demonstration of naval force, stating that U.S. warships would pass by the island and potentially stop within 50 yards of the coast to pressure the Cuban government toward a definitive agreement.

Trump designated Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lead negotiations regarding the island. This announcement comes amid significant domestic challenges in Cuba, including electricity shortages and fuel scarcity, even as authorized purchases of U.S. agricultural goods and solar equipment by the Cuban private sector have reached recent highs.

Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel responded to the remarks on social media, accusing the United States of “ambitions of domination” and asserting Cuba's determination to defend its independence. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez also rejected the threats, warning that the island's jagged coastal rocks, known locally as “diente de perro,” would be inhospitable to hostile forces.