Trump vows to “take” Cuba as island reels from oil embargo

Tuesday 17 March 2026 - 14:17

By: Dakir Madiha

Trump vows to “take” Cuba as island reels from oil embargo

President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Cuba by declaring that the United States should “take” the island nation as it struggles with a severe energy crisis and economic fallout from a tightened U.S. oil embargo. His remarks came shortly after Havana reported a near‑total blackout, blamed on dwindling fuel supplies and aging infrastructure, which has disrupted power, transport and medical services across the country. Trump’s comments have sparked debate over whether Washington is moving toward a more aggressive stance on Cuba, including possible expanded sanctions or direct pressure on the Cuban government to allow greater political or economic openings.

The island’s blackout has compounded an already deep economic downturn, with long lines forming at fuel stations, businesses closing early and hospitals relying on emergency generators. Cuban officials have pointed to the U.S. embargo as a key factor, arguing that restrictions on energy imports and financial transactions limit their ability to secure new supplies or repair power plants. At the same time, U.S. policymakers are divided over how much leverage Cuba’s crisis gives Washington, with some lawmakers warning that any escalation could risk further destabilizing the region and isolating Washington from Latin American allies.

Trump’s vow to “take” Cuba has been interpreted in different ways, with some analysts reading it as a push for stronger economic or diplomatic measures, while others see it as a rhetorical signal aimed at hard‑line voters. Human‑rights and Cuban‑diaspora groups have warned that any move toward a more confrontational posture could hurt ordinary Cubans more than the ruling elite, whose assets and privileges are often shielded from sanctions. The episode has also revived debate in Washington over the long‑standing U.S. Cuba policy, with calls from both supporters and critics of the embargo to clarify what the next steps in the relationship should be.