During a White House press briefing on Monday, President Donald Trump reiterated that the electoral backing of Cuban-Americans is a key factor behind his policy of maximum pressure on Cuba. He labeled the island nation as a "failed state" and hinted at the possibility of "dealing with Cuba" in the near future.
These remarks came after journalists questioned an apparent inconsistency in his stance: Trump had pledged to penalize countries supplying fuel to Cuba, yet in late March, he stated, "If a country wants to send some oil to Cuba, I have no problem with that," referencing the Russian tanker Anatoli Kolodkin, which docked in Matanzas with 730,000 barrels of crude oil.
Trump addressed the press, stating, "Cuba has been terribly mismanaged for a long time. It has a terrible system. It has been very oppressive." He further mentioned his support from the Cuban-American community, saying, "I have many great Cuban-Americans, almost all of whom voted for me," highlighting the community's suffering: "They were treated very poorly. In many cases, family members were killed. They have been beaten and assaulted; terrible things have happened in Cuba."
The former president issued a somewhat ambiguous warning: "We're going to do this. And we might go through Cuba after we're done with this. But Cuba has been horribly governed for many years by Castro."
Trump's reference to Cuban-American support is grounded in specific data. During the November 2024 elections, 58% of Cuban-Americans voted for him, making them the only Hispanic demographic with a Republican majority. In Miami-Dade, this support reached 68%, according to Florida International University, marking an all-time high.
However, by 2026, cracks have appeared in that support. The repeal of the legal status for 530,000 Cubans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans under temporary parole programs, along with mass deportations and immigration raids, have sparked discontent within the community.
"This is not what we voted for; it's unacceptable and inhumane," stated Ilena García, founder of 'Latinas for Trump,' in March.
Since January 2026, Trump's policy towards Cuba has been one of sustained escalation. On January 29, he signed Executive Order 14380, which declared Cuba an extraordinary threat and imposed tariffs on countries supplying it with crude oil.
The capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. special forces on January 3 eliminated between 80 and 90% of Cuba's oil imports from Venezuela.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been clear about the prerequisites for any agreement: "Cuba's system of government must change."
Key Questions About Trump's Cuba Policy
Why does Trump emphasize Cuban-American support?
Trump highlights Cuban-American support as a justification for his hardline policy on Cuba, noting their electoral backing in the 2024 elections as a significant influence.
What inconsistencies have been noted in Trump's Cuba policy?
Despite pledging to penalize fuel suppliers to Cuba, Trump later indicated no issue with countries sending oil to Cuba, causing confusion over his stance.
What impact did the capture of Nicolás Maduro have on Cuba?
The capture led to a significant reduction in oil imports to Cuba, eliminating 80-90% of its crude oil supply from Venezuela.