On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed that Cuba is moving into the American sphere of influence. His remarks came during the inauguration ceremony of the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota.
"After many, many decades, Cuba is coming into our orbit," Trump declared to those gathered at the event, as reported by the EFE agency through Swissinfo.
The historical setting of his statement was steeped in symbolism. Theodore Roosevelt is closely associated with Cuba, having led the "Rough Riders" in the Battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War of 1898. This conflict resulted in Spain ceding Cuba, Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico to the United States.
Before mentioning the island, Trump explicitly referenced this historical episode: "Shortly after they ceded control of Cuba, Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico, all became ours. And speaking of Cuba, after many, many decades, it's coming to us, coming to us."
Trump's comments came almost a month after the Treasury Department enforced a new round of sanctions on June 23 against five Cuban entities, including financial and mining institutions, as well as a direct family member of the regime's leadership.
Since January 2026, the Trump administration has imposed over 240 sanctions on Cuba as part of a maximum pressure policy that has intensified month by month.
On June 4, Washington directly sanctioned Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife Lis Cuesta Peraza, and Colonel Alejandro Castro Espín, placing them on the Specially Designated Nationals list.
On June 11, the Treasury targeted the state oil company CUPET, freezing all its assets under U.S. jurisdiction, worsening the island's energy crisis.
The cumulative impact of these measures on the Cuban population has been devastating: energy imports have plummeted by 80% to 90%, blackouts last up to 25 hours daily across much of the territory, and the island's GDP is projected to contract between -6.5% and -7.2% by 2026.
Trump's rhetoric on Cuba has steadily escalated throughout the year. On March 9, he declared that "Cuba is at the end of the line"; on March 28, in Miami, he warned that "sometimes you have to use military force, and Cuba is next"; and on May 2, at a private dinner in West Palm Beach, he stated that the U.S. would "take Cuba almost immediately" after resolving the conflict with Iran.
The Theodore Roosevelt Library, which cost $450 million and secured approximately $354 million in donations, will officially open to the public on July 4, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Cuba
What sanctions has the U.S. recently imposed on Cuba?
The U.S. Treasury Department recently imposed sanctions on five Cuban entities, including financial and mining institutions, and targeted family members of the regime's leadership. The state oil company CUPET was also sanctioned, with its assets under U.S. jurisdiction frozen.
How have these sanctions affected Cuba's economy?
The sanctions have significantly impacted Cuba's economy, leading to a reduction in energy imports by 80% to 90%, prolonged blackouts, and a projected GDP contraction of between -6.5% and -7.2% by 2026.
What historical connection does Theodore Roosevelt have with Cuba?
Theodore Roosevelt is historically linked to Cuba through his leadership of the "Rough Riders" during the Battle of San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War of 1898, which led to Spain ceding Cuba to the United States.