Trump Floats Military Action in Cuba After Iran Campaign
WHO:
ABC News - President Donald Trump told a South Florida rally that U.S. warships returning from Iran could stop near Cuba; he said Secretary of State Marco Rubio would “finish up the deal.”
ABC News - Rubio said Cuba had been a national security threat because of its ties to U.S. adversaries. He said the administration sought a peaceful resolution but expressed doubt about reaching a diplomatic agreement with Cuba’s government.
ABC News - Rubio posted that “now is the time” for action on Cuba and urged people seeking change to pursue it through “a discrete partnership with the CIA.”
Alternet - Trump discussed Cuba at a rally and said, “we’ll take Cuba on our way back from Iran.” Alternet also reported that Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, had long focused on Cuba.
WHAT:
ABC News - Trump proposed that a U.S. warship stop “about 50 yards off the coast” of Cuba and said people aboard would “raise up their hands.”
ABC News - Trump had previously said Cuba would “be next” for U.S. intervention and said he expected the two countries to “make a deal,” while adding, “I don’t think we’ll need the military.”
ABC News - Trump and Rubio had raised the possibility of military intervention in Cuba. The U.S. administration had also announced criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro and imposed further sanctions after talks with Cuban officials.
Alternet - The article reported that the administration had imposed an oil blockade against Cuba and that Trump’s Iran war had driven higher prices, including fuel prices.
ABC News - Cuba’s gross domestic product had shrunk; its 10 million residents faced blackouts, food shortages and inflation. Protests had occurred, and hundreds of thousands of Cubans had migrated, many to the United States.
WHERE:
ABC News - Trump spoke at a rally in Fort Myers, Florida. He described warships passing Cuba while returning from Iran.
ABC News - Trump and Rubio spoke about Cuba at the United Nations; U.S. and Cuban representatives also clashed there over the U.S. economic embargo against Havana.
WHY:
ABC News - Rubio said the United States would not allow Cuba to become a base for foreign adversaries or threaten U.S. national security.
Alternet - The article attributed rising prices to the Iran war, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and resulting fuel-price increases.
HOW:
ABC News - Trump’s Cuba remarks followed a shouted question from the rally crowd. Rubio’s social-media post followed Trump’s remarks.
ABC News - U.S. and Cuban officials had held talks about improving relations; the U.S. side was unimpressed, and additional sanctions followed.
Alternet - The article said oil prices rose to a five-month high and then another high, citing the Wall Street Journal’s account of market concerns about renewed U.S.-Iran hostilities and attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.
(UPDATED October 24, 2026 06:00 UTC)
President Trump has raised the possibility of U.S. military action against Cuba, telling a rally in Fort Myers that warships returning from Iran could stop near the island. He suggested a ship could come within about 50 yards of the coast, while saying Secretary of State Marco Rubio would “finish up the deal.” Trump has also said he expects Cuba and the United States to make a deal, and that military action may not be needed. Rubio described Cuba’s ties to U.S. adversaries as a national security threat, but said the administration sought a peaceful resolution and voiced doubt about reaching an agreement. After Trump’s remarks, Rubio urged people seeking change in Cuba to pursue a “discrete partnership with the CIA.” The administration has imposed further sanctions and announced criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro after talks with Cuban officials.