Cuba to Allow U.S.-Based Cuban Nationals to Invest as Trump Calls Island a 'Failed Nation' Under Tariff and Oil Pressure
Cuba plans to open up to investment from U.S.-based Cuban nationals as Havana seeks to fend off pressure from the Trump administration, including tariffs and reductions in Venezuelan oil supplies amid a worsening energy crisis and a recent nationwide blackout. In an Oval Office interview President Trump called Cuba a "failed" and "very weakened nation," saying he believed he would have "the honor" of "taking Cuba" and could "do anything" with it, while talks between the two governments continue.
📌 Key Facts
- In a March 16 Oval Office interview with Fox News, President Trump said he believes he will have "the honor" of "taking Cuba," saying he could "do anything I want with it," and calling the island a "failed nation" and a "very weakened nation."
- Trump framed "taking Cuba" as possibly "in some form," saying whether he would "free it" or "take it" he believes he could exert broad control over the country.
- Trump’s remarks came the same day Cuba’s entire electrical grid suffered a total collapse, plunging the country into a nationwide blackout.
- The article reports Cuba has been in talks with the Trump administration as Havana tries to fend off potential regime change while grappling with a deepening energy crisis after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and immediately cut off oil exports to Cuba.
- Earlier in March, Trump publicly vowed to "take care" of Cuba’s regime once he is finished focusing on Iran, linking his Cuba policy to his broader war posture.
📊 Relevant Data
Pro-Israel groups spent $5,059,268 on lobbying in 2024, while the Cuban American National Foundation had no reported lobbying expenditures from 2020 to 2025.
Pro-Israel Summary — OpenSecrets
Venezuela exported an average of 52,000 barrels of crude oil per day to Cuba in September 2025, representing a significant portion of Cuba's estimated daily oil consumption of around 150,000-160,000 barrels per day.
Venezuela's oil exports surpass 1 million bpd for first time since 2020, data shows — Reuters
The Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 has enabled approximately 1.3 million Cuban immigrants to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. since its enactment, contributing to the growth of the Cuban-origin population to 2,568,036 by 2023, which represents about 0.77% of the total U.S. population.
Cuban Immigrants in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- In a March 16 Oval Office interview with Fox News, President Trump said he believes he will have 'the honor' of 'taking Cuba' and that he could 'do anything I want with it,' calling the island a 'failed nation' and a 'very weakened nation.'
- Trump framed 'taking Cuba' as possibly 'in some form,' saying whether he would 'free it' or 'take it' he believes he could 'do anything' he wants with the country.
- The article notes Cuba has been in talks with the Trump administration as Havana tries to fend off potential regime change while grappling with a deepening energy crisis after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and immediately cut off oil exports to Cuba.
- Trump’s remarks came the same day Cuba’s entire electrical grid suffered a total collapse, plunging the country into a nationwide blackout.
- Earlier this month, Trump publicly vowed to 'take care' of Cuba’s regime once he is finished focusing on Iran, linking Cuba policy to his broader war posture.