Mike Johnson, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, dismissed the notion of military intervention in Cuba on Tuesday, stating there is no "need" or "appetite" to deploy troops to the island, suggesting that change in the nation will occur naturally.
Johnson's remarks came in response to inquiries about whether he would support military action in Cuba and if the White House should seek Congressional approval for such measures. The Republican leader was unequivocal: "I don't believe there's a necessity. I don't think there's any desire to put boots on the ground in Cuba. I believe some of these changes will happen organically."
He based his stance on the current state of the Cuban regime. "I think the system is on the verge of collapse because it's a socialist regime, and those experiments never work," he commented, further stating, "If change happens there, I don't think we'll need U.S. troops, I really don't."
Additionally, Johnson highlighted the "Shield of the Americas" initiative championed by Donald Trump as a multilateral framework for ensuring hemispheric security against narcoterrorists, noting that Cuba will be a central focus of this agenda.
Johnson's statements came just days after former President Trump, at the Shield of the Americas Summit in Miami over the weekend, asserted that Cuba "will fall soon" and that the regime is in its final days. "Cuba is at the end of the line. They have no money. They have no oil," Trump said, recalling that the island once received support from Venezuela.
During the same summit, Trump revealed that his administration is engaged in active negotiations with Havana through Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “They want to negotiate, and they are negotiating with Marco [Rubio] and me,” he stated, adding that "a deal with Cuba would be very easy," although he cautioned that "the takeover might be amicable, or it might not be."
The discussion about potential military action in Cuba has intensified following an incident on February 25 in Cuban waters. Cuban border guards intercepted a boat registered in Florida near Villa Clara, resulting in the deaths of four U.S.-resident Cubans and six injuries. The regime described the event as a "terrorist infiltration," a version met with skepticism by the Cuban exile community in Miami.
Amidst this backdrop, the U.S. maintains a significant naval presence in the Caribbean under Operation Southern Lance, involving the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, approximately 12,000 personnel, and an estimated cost of $3 billion. Johnson's position contrasts with some Republican senators like Lindsey Graham, who have taken a more aggressive stance towards Cuba.
Cuba's economy has shrunk by 15% since 2020, with a 5% decline projected in 2025, amidst power outages exceeding 20 hours daily and a fuel crisis that has closed airports.
Complete Transcript of Mike Johnson's Remarks on Potential Military Intervention in Cuba:
Last question, thank you, sir. Would you support a U.S. military action in Cuba? Should the White House seek Congressional approval? This is a new topic everyone has been talking about today.
Look, I don't believe there's a need. I don't think there's a desire to put boots on the ground in Cuba. I think some of this happens organically.
I believe the system is collapsing because it's a socialist regime, and those experiments never work.
Although they are illegal, but listen: if there happens to be a regime change there, I don't think we need U.S. troops there. I don't think so.
I think it will happen, and they will seek to change things. And maybe they'll soon drive vehicles—you know—not made before 1952.
And that would be great. Look, they are close neighbors, 90 miles from Key West. I mean, we are close neighbors. It's in our neighborhood, in the hemisphere.
The President, due to his strong leadership, has united security for the Americas with a new initiative to deal with narcoterrorists and ensure our hemisphere is safe.
And there are so many countries committed to that. Cuba will be a major topic of discussion, and I hope it works out well.
But should we send a bunch of marines back there? I don't think there's an assessment for that, to answer the question.
Key Questions About U.S. Policy on Cuba
Why does Mike Johnson oppose military intervention in Cuba?
Mike Johnson believes that the Cuban regime is on the verge of collapse due to its socialist structure, which he argues will fail naturally without the need for U.S. military intervention.
What is the "Shield of the Americas" initiative?
The "Shield of the Americas" is a multilateral framework initiated by Donald Trump aimed at ensuring hemispheric security against narcoterrorists, with Cuba being a significant focus of this agenda.
What recent event intensified discussions about military action in Cuba?
Discussions intensified after an incident on February 25, when Cuban border guards intercepted a Florida-registered boat near Villa Clara, resulting in casualties and being labeled a "terrorist infiltration" by the Cuban regime.