Cuba's Defiance Against Trump's Takeover Bid
US President Donald Trump has made a controversial statement by saying he wants to “take over” Cuba amid the severe electricity crisis plaguing the country. However, the Cuban government immediately responded firmly, rejecting the idea outright.
It is known that the total blackout in Cuba was caused by a “total national electricity grid shutdown,” according to the Union Nacional Electrica de Cuba (UNE) in a statement, adding that work has begun to restore power supply.
This situation is worsened by limited energy supplies. The ageing power generation infrastructure has made blackouts lasting for dozens or even tens of hours a day a common occurrence in several regions.
However, since the US toppled Cuba’s main ally, Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, in early January, the island’s economy has been further battered because Trump has maintained a de facto oil blockade.
No oil has been imported to the island since 9 January, impacting the energy sector and forcing airlines to reduce flights to the island, a blow to the vital tourism sector.
In an effort to alleviate economic pressure—and meet US demands—a senior Cuban economic official announced on Monday that Cuban exiles can now invest and own businesses there.
“Cuba is open to smooth commercial relations with US companies” and “also with Cubans living in the United States and their descendants,” said Minister of Foreign Trade and Vice Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva to NBC News.
Trump Threatens to Take Over Cuba
Amid the electricity crisis, Trump promised to “take over” Cuba. Trump said he has long heard about relations between the United States and Cuba, questioning when Washington would take further steps against the country.
“You know, all my life, I’ve heard about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? I believe I will… get the honour of taking over Cuba,” Trump told reporters at the White House, as reported by AFP on Tuesday (17/3/2026).
He hinted at various possibilities, from liberating to controlling the country, calling Cuba a nation currently in a very weak state.
“Whether I liberate it, take it—or think I can do whatever I want with it, you want to know the truth. They are a very weak country right now,” he continued.
Cuban President Fights Back
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel adopted a defiant stance in the face of Trump’s threats.
“Facing the worst-case scenario, Cuba has one guarantee: every external aggressor will face unyielding resistance,” he wrote in a statement on X.
Tanieris Dieguez, Cuba’s deputy chief of mission in Washington, said the two neighbouring countries “have many things to discuss” but none of them should demand that the other change its government.
“Nothing related to our political system, nothing related to our political model—our constitutional model—will be part of the negotiations, and it will never be part of it,” she said.
“The only thing Cuba asks in every conversation is respect for our sovereignty and our right to self-determination,” she added.
The New York Times, citing unnamed US officials, said the Trump administration has called for Cuba to dismiss Diaz-Canel, who is seen as resistant to change.