Recent remarks by President Donald Trump about potentially "taking Cuba" have sparked intense discussions within the Cuban exile community. While there's an air of optimism, there's also a cautious approach towards rhetoric that hasn't been heard with such force for decades.
This sentiment was captured by DW Español in their report on how these comments have affected the Cuban-American community.
Last Monday, Trump stated from the Oval Office, "I believe I will have the honor of taking Cuba. That would be nice. It's a great honor. Whether I liberate it or take it, I think I can do anything I want with it."
He also characterized the island as "a very weakened nation... They have no money, they have nothing. They have beautiful land," adding that "something will happen soon" in the ongoing discussions between Washington and Havana.
Mixed Reactions from Little Havana
In Miami's Little Havana, these words evoke mixed feelings. According to DW, after 67 years of dictatorship, the Cuban-American community longs for change but fears repeating the Venezuelan precedent, where the fall of Nicolás Maduro —captured by the U.S. in January— left the regime's power circle largely intact.
José Daniel Ferrer, leader of UNPACU and former Cuban political prisoner, outlined the dilemma with three scenarios:
"Continuing the current situation is the worst. Therefore, no reasonable Cuban wants it. Second, a Venezuela-style process. We wouldn't like it, but it would be preferable to the first option. And third, the option we all want and desire: a rapid transition to democracy."
The Limits of Exile Acceptance
Ferrer was clear about the boundaries of what the exile community accepts: "We also don't want Cuba to end up as a protectorate or a nation dependent on the United States. We want a free, democratic Cuba, with justice, an independent and sovereign Cuba, allied with the U.S., but also with all the West."
These varying perspectives on political change highlight the diversity of opinions within the diaspora.
Film director Lilo Vilaplana, exiled for nearly 29 years, emphasized justice and historical memory as essential conditions: "If the wounds aren't healed, nothing will be healed in Cuba. Those wounds need healing for a new republic to be born, for the nation to be saved, for the nation to be cured."
Cuban Government's Defiant Stance
From Havana, Miguel Díaz-Canel responded on Wednesday via X with a defiant tone: "The United States publicly threatens Cuba almost daily with overthrowing the constitutional order by force. They pretend and announce plans to take over the country," promising that "any external aggressor will face unyielding resistance," using the hashtag #CubaEstáFirme.
The crisis surrounding these declarations is both real and profound. Following Maduro's capture, Cuba lost its Venezuelan oil supply, and local production meets only about 40% of the energy demand, leading to blackouts affecting between 10 and 11 million people.
According to Bloomberg, Washington's strategy for Cuba does not include a military invasion—rejected by 53% of Americans—but rather a gradual economic pressure to render Cuba financially dependent, with a possible negotiated exit for Díaz-Canel.
Trump also mentioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a key figure in the process, assuring at the Shield of the Americas Summit that Rubio "will take an hour off and finalize a deal with Cuba."
The prevailing sentiment in the exile community, however, is summed up by a phrase circulating in Little Havana: after 67 years of waiting, no one here wants to trade one dictatorship for a protectorate.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. and Cuba Relations
What was President Trump's statement about taking Cuba?
President Trump expressed that he believes he could have the honor of "taking Cuba," describing it as a weakened nation with beautiful land, and suggesting that something significant might soon happen in talks with Havana.
Why is the Cuban-American community cautious about U.S. involvement in Cuba?
The Cuban-American community is wary of repeating the Venezuelan scenario, where the fall of a dictator did not dismantle the regime's power structure. They desire a true democratic transition without becoming a U.S. protectorate.
How has the Cuban government responded to U.S. threats?
Miguel Díaz-Canel has taken a defiant stance against U.S. threats, asserting that any external aggression will meet with strong resistance, maintaining that Cuba remains firm despite the pressures.