"It's Possible": Trump Raised The Possibility Of A Military Operation In Cuba Following The Venezuelan Model
- 20.06.2026, 8:16
Washington has already drawn up plans involving Marco Rubio.
A possible U.S. military operation in Cuba could follow the same scenario as the rapid seizure of power in Venezuela.
This was stated by U.S. President Donald Trump in an interview with the program Axios Show.
Responding to journalists’ questions about a possible similarity between the operation in Cuba and the events in Venezuela that took place earlier this year, the U.S. president noted: “Perhaps. It’s possible.”
He pointed out that Cuba is located much closer to the United States than other regions where conflicts have occurred in the past, which significantly simplifies the task for the U.S. military.
“These places are right next door. But if you look at Iran—that’s a very long way. You know, I’ve flown to that region several times… it’s an 18-hour flight—a very long one. Venezuela is relatively close, but Cuba is a piece of cake,” the White House chief explained.
Trump also compared the resources of the two Latin American countries, noting that Venezuela has large oil reserves, while Cuba has “good territory and a good coastline.”
Separately, the U.S. president boasted about the results of the January operation in Venezuela, during which U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro. According to him, the operation lasted only “48 minutes,” and American oil companies are now operating there, bringing both countries more money than ever before.
Flexible Timelines and Rubio’s Role
According to Axios, the Donald Trump administration is currently considering options for responding to a possible collapse of the current Cuban regime and has corresponding military plans at its disposal. At the same time, the president himself emphasized that he personally prefers a peaceful transition of power on the island.
Trump added that the Cuban authorities are currently in a difficult position.
He noted that the specific timing of a possible operation remains “flexible,” and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is taking the most active role in efforts regarding Cuba.
In January 2026, the U.S. carried out a lightning-fast military operation in Venezuela, as a result of which American special forces detained Nicolás Maduro and removed him from power. This was preceded by large-scale street protests in Caracas and Washington’s official declaration that the Maduro regime posed a direct threat to U.S. national security.
Washington also stepped up pressure on the Cuban government, which remains one of the former Venezuelan regime’s main allies. Earlier, the White House imposed economic sanctions on Havana due to Cuba’s attempts to help Caracas circumvent the U.S. embargo.