In a recent phone interview with Salem News Channel, former President Donald Trump declared that he received an overwhelming 94% of the Cuban American vote in the United States, asserting that this support obligates him to take action regarding Cuba.
"You know, I got 94% of the Cuban vote in the U.S. I have a duty, frankly, to do something for Cuba," Trump stated.
Trump reiterated his intention to potentially position the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier within a few hundred yards of the Cuban coastline upon its return from Iran.
"We'll park the Abraham Lincoln a couple hundred yards off the coast and see how they want to respond," Trump remarked.
Trump's Vision for a "Liberated" Cuba
The former president described Cuba as a "devastated" nation and expressed his desire to "liberate" the island, drawing parallels between the situations in Cuba and Iran.
"What they've done to the Cubans, what they've done to the families of people living in the U.S., is unimaginable," he added.
These comments align with Trump's previous statements made days earlier. Last Thursday, during a private dinner at the Forum Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump mentioned that the U.S. would "take Cuba almost immediately" after finishing operations in Iran.
Trump often refers to the Abraham Lincoln as "the most beautiful aircraft carrier" he has ever seen. He emphasized that any action concerning Cuba would follow the resolution of the Iranian conflict, stating, "I like to finish jobs."
Disputed Electoral Claims
The electoral figure Trump cited — 94% — has not been corroborated by exit polls or independent electoral sources. Verified data from November 2024 indicated he secured about 70% of the Cuban American vote in Florida, a historic record for a Republican candidate.
A pre-election survey by Florida International University had shown up to 68% of voting intention among Cuban Americans in Miami-Dade.
Increased Pressure on Cuba
Trump's remarks come amid a sustained escalation of pressure on the Cuban regime. On May 1, Trump signed a new executive order enhancing sanctions on Cuba. This order blocks assets of regime officials in the energy, defense, mining, and finance sectors, and imposes secondary sanctions on foreign banks that engage with sanctioned Cuban entities.
Since January 2025, his administration has imposed over 240 sanctions and intercepted at least seven oil tankers destined for the island, reducing energy imports by 80% to 90%, leading to power outages of more than 24 hours in over 55% of Cuba.
The Cuban government responded with defiant rhetoric. Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Cuban president, declared on social media that "no aggressor, no matter how powerful, will find surrender in Cuba."
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla labeled Trump's statements as a "clear and direct new threat of military aggression," stating, "Cubans will not be intimidated."
Last Monday, the U.S. Senate rejected a Democratic resolution by Senator Tim Kaine, aiming to limit Trump's war powers over Cuba, with a vote of 51 to 47, allowing the administration to maintain maximum pressure on Havana.
FAQs on Trump's Cuba Policy
What percentage of the Cuban American vote did Trump claim to receive?
Trump claimed to have received 94% of the Cuban American vote in the United States, though this figure is not corroborated by independent sources.
What actions has Trump proposed regarding Cuba?
Trump has suggested deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln near Cuba's coast and has signed an executive order to expand sanctions against Cuba.
How has the Cuban government responded to Trump's statements?
The Cuban government, through Miguel Díaz-Canel and Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, has issued defiant statements, rejecting any notion of surrender and labeling Trump's words as a military threat.