Trump Vows to Take Over Cuba Amid Electricity Crisis
United States President Donald Trump has promised to “take over” Cuba as the island nation struggles with a total electrical blackout linked to an oil embargo that has crippled the region.
“You know, throughout my life, I have heard about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it?” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.
“I believe I will…have the honour to take over Cuba,” he added.
Trump stated that the US would take over the country because Cuba is currently in a weakened condition.
“Whether I free it, take it—or think I could do anything I want with it, you want to know what’s really true. They are a very weak country right now,” he said.
The statement represents one of Trump’s most explicit threats and comes as the Caribbean island, home to 9.6 million people, struggles with another major power outage.
Total Electrical Blackout
The power outage was caused by a “complete national electrical network blackout,” according to Cuba’s National Electric Union (UNE) in a statement, which added that work had begun to restore power supply.
Cuba’s ageing power generation system is in poor condition, with daily blackouts lasting up to 20 hours becoming commonplace in some parts of the island.
However, since the US toppled Cuba’s main ally, Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, in early January, the island’s economy has been further damaged as Trump maintains a de facto oil blockade. No oil has been imported to the island since 9 January, which has affected the energy sector whilst forcing airlines to reduce flights to the island—a blow to the vital tourism sector.
In an effort to ease economic pressure and meet US demands, a senior Cuban economic official announced on Monday that Cuban refugees can now invest in and own businesses there.
“Cuba is open to establishing smooth commercial relations with US companies” and “also with Cuban citizens living in the United States and their descendants,” said Foreign Trade Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva, speaking to NBC News.
The New York Times reported yesterday, citing anonymous sources, that Trump administration officials have signalled to Cuban officials that the US wants President Miguel Diaz-Canel removed from power.