Trump hints at 'friendly takeover' of Cuba

The United States unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow the Cuban regime by arming political exiles, who staged the 1963 Bay of Pigs invasion.

By Ben Whedon

Published: February 27, 2026 2:30pm

President Donald Trump on Friday suggested that the United States could assume control of Cuba in a non-hostile action, amid ongoing diplomatic discussions with Havana.

"We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba," Trump told reporters on Friday. "I have been hearing about Cuba since I was a little boy, but they're in big trouble and we could very well -- I think something very positive."

"They have no money, they have no anything right now, but they're talking with us," he said.

Trump offered few details, but the United States has maintained sanctions and trade restrictions on Cuba for decades since the 1959 ouster of the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista by the current communist government.

The United States unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow the Cuban regime by arming political exiles, who staged the 1963 Bay of Pigs invasion.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is of Cuban origin and a vocal critic of the communist government.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.