Cuba edges toward breakdown as power cuts and US meddling push society to brink | Cuba
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-07-18 08:14:00 — www.theguardian.com
Donald Trump Claims Control Over Cuba Amid Worsening Crisis
Donald Trump has made bold statements regarding the fate of Cuba, asserting, “Whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it,” in remarks to reporters at the White House in March. This declaration came as Cuba’s national electricity grid collapsed for the third time in ten days, leaving millions without power and highlighting the island’s deepening crisis.
U.S. Pressure and Trump’s Promises
Trump has promised that Cuba’s communist government will fall, linking his administration’s aggressive sanctions and pressure campaign directly to the island’s deteriorating conditions. The U.S. blockade, now lasting six months, has severely restricted Cuba’s access to oil and other critical resources, compounding the effects of decades-old infrastructure failures. Trump’s approach has included driving out foreign companies and targeting Cuba’s key industries, with the stated goal of bringing down the government.
Escalating Tensions and Public Statements
As the humanitarian situation in Cuba worsens, Trump has continued to take a hardline stance. In response to unconfirmed reports of Cuban-Iranian military cooperation, he declared, “We’re not going to allow that to happen.” These statements reflect a posture of direct intervention and control, with Trump repeatedly positioning himself as the decisive actor in Cuba’s future.
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims
Trump’s assertion that he can “do anything I want” with Cuba is both an exaggeration of presidential power and a distortion of international norms. The U.S. government, while influential, does not have unilateral authority over the sovereignty of another nation. Furthermore, the suggestion that sanctions alone are responsible for Cuba’s collapse overlooks the island’s longstanding infrastructure problems, which experts note predate the current blockade.
Conclusion
Trump’s rhetoric on Cuba exemplifies his pattern of making sweeping, often misleading claims about his power and the impact of U.S. policy. As Cuba faces mounting blackouts, shortages, and unrest, Trump’s statements serve to escalate tensions rather than offer constructive solutions. The ongoing crisis underscores the complexity of U.S.-Cuba relations and the dangers of oversimplified, self-aggrandizing narratives from American leaders.