'I can do anything I want with it': Trump brags of Cuba’s collapse as a complete blackout hits 9.6 million people
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "'I can do anything I want with it': Trump brags of Cuba’s collapse as a complete blackout hits 9.6 million people")
A man walks on a street during a blackout in Havana on March 16, 2026. Cuba suffered a widespread power cut on March 16, 2026, according to the national electricity company, against the backdrop of a severe crisis on the island caused by the US energy blockade. Photograph: (AFP)
Declaring that he can do "anything I want" with a "weakened nation," President Donald Trump has signalled that Cuba is the next target in his global campaign of reasserting American power. Here's what he said.
US President Donald Trump on Monday said he could “take” Cuba, as the island nation plunged into a nationwide blackout triggered by a deepening fuel crisis linked to Washington’s oil pressure campaign. He said he believes he'll have the "honour of taking Cuba". Trump's latest statement on the US "taking" a neighbouring nation comes after America captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, and as the nation, for the 18th day, remains engaged in a war with Iran.
Also read | Trump threatens 'friendly takeover' of another US neighbour. Here's all you need to know
When will the US 'take' Iran?
“You know, all my life I’ve been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it?” Trump told reporters at the White House. “I do believe I’ll be… having the honour of taking Cuba,” he added, before going further.
Referring to Cuba, which is currently facing a total power blackout linked to a crippling oil embargo imposed by Washington as a "weakened nation" he forebodingly added, "Whether I free it, take it, I think I could do anything I want with it." This marked one of Trump's most explicit threats against the communist ruled nation.
Also read | 'It's a question of time': Trump vows to turn US focus to THIS neighbour once Iran war is 'finished'
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US wants a regime change in Cuba?
As the US and Cuba hold talks on the island nation's future, Trump has told administration officials that he wants President Miguel Diaz-Canel removed from power. According to a New York Times report, Trump is looking to topple the leftist Diaz-Canal but is open to letting the communist government hold onto power.
Blackout in Cuba
This comes as Cuba’s national power grid collapsed, leaving much of the country without electricity.
Union Nacional Electrica de Cuba (UNE) in a statement described it as a “complete shutdown of the national grid,” with efforts underway to restore supply. Power cuts have become routine across the island in recent months, with some regions facing outages lasting up to 20 hours a day.
