Trending Now - Trump Discusses Latin America Relations Amid Cuba and Iran Issues

WHO:

President Donald Trump

Delcy Rodriguez, acting President of Venezuela

Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas – Western Hemisphere

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick

U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer

U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.)

Cuban officials, including Felix Estrada Rodríguez, top engineer at Cuba’s Electric Union

Leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic

WHAT:

Trump spoke at the Shield of the Americas Summit on March 7, 2026, in Doral, Florida.

Trump claimed the U.S. is "taking out tremendous amounts of oil" from Venezuela.

The U.S. has formally recognized the Venezuelan government and reached a "historic gold deal" with Venezuela.

Trump stated that Cuba is "negotiating" with him and Rubio, and he expects a deal to be made easily.

Trump declared a national emergency over Cuba in January 2026.

Cuba's Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant was expected to restart on March 7, 2026, after repairs.

The blackout in Cuba left millions without power and was attributed to a crumbling electric grid and lack of fuel.

Trump announced that U.S. companies could sell small amounts of oil to Cuba if they circumvent the government.

Trump stated, "Cuba is gonna fall too," regarding plans for regime change in Cuba.

WHERE:

Shield of the Americas Summit, Doral, Florida

Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, Cuba

U.S. military operation location in Venezuela

WHEN:

March 7, 2026: Trump spoke at the Shield of the Americas Summit.

January 2026: Trump declared a national emergency over Cuba.

March 7, 2026: Cuban officials expected to restart the Antonio Guiteras plant.

The blackout in Cuba occurred on March 4, 2026.

WHY:

Trump aims to exert U.S. influence in Latin America and counteract what he perceives as lawlessness in the region.

The U.S. is focusing on Iran while also addressing issues in Cuba and Venezuela.

The blockade and sanctions against Cuba are intended to pressure the Cuban government and open markets to U.S. businesses.

HOW:

Trump’s administration has implemented sanctions and tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba.

The U.S. military operation in January 2026 aimed to capture Nicolás Maduro and disrupt Venezuelan oil shipments.

The U.S. has issued a license prohibiting business with Venezuela's state-owned gold mining company, Minerven, by certain countries.

Today, President Trump addressed the Shield of the Americas Summit in Doral, Florida, where he announced that the U.S. is extracting significant amounts of oil from Venezuela and has recognized its government, marking a "historic gold deal." He also mentioned that Cuba is in negotiations with him and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Cuba is set to restart after a blackout left millions without power just a few days ago. Additionally, Trump declared a national emergency over Cuba in January and stated that U.S. companies could sell small amounts of oil to the island if they bypass the government, emphasizing his belief that "Cuba is gonna fall too."