May 1 (Palm Beach, Fla.) – President Donald Trump signaled plans for swift U.S. action against Cuba once military operations in Iran conclude, stating that American forces would move on the island nation “almost immediately” on the return from Iran.
Speaking at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, Trump referenced an architect of Cuban origin while outlining his intentions. “An architect who’s really talented. He’s done a lot of work for him. He’s got a flare, a beautiful Hispanic flare in particular. And he comes from originally a place called Cuba, which we will be taking over almost immediately. No, Cuba’s Cuba’s got problems. We’ll finish one first. I like to finish a job. On the way back from what we’ll do on the way back from Iran, we’ll have one of our big maybe the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, the biggest in the world. We’ll have that come in, stop about a hundred yards offshore, and they’ll say, ‘Thank you very much. We give up.’”
Trump’s comments come as U.S. forces continue Operation Epic Fury, launched Feb. 28 against Iran. The operation has involved extensive strikes on Iranian command and control facilities, air defenses, missile sites, naval assets, and leadership targets. Reports indicate the deaths of Iran’s supreme leader and over 40 senior officials and leaders. U.S. and partner forces have destroyed or damaged more than 155 Iranian vessels and struck thousands of targets while reporting no U.S. casualties in the initial phases.
The president framed the Cuba remarks in the context of completing ongoing operations before shifting focus. He highlighted the success of an earlier effort, Operation Absolute Resolve, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and led to improved U.S.-Venezuela relations, including significant oil exports to Texas refineries and expanded American business activity.
Trump described the Venezuela operation as highly profitable, covering its costs many times over through resource deals.
Administration strategy toward Cuba draws on similar logic of regional dominance and economic opportunity. Reports from early 2026 describe the approach as a “maximum pressure” campaign leveraging Cuba’s severe economic and energy crisis—the worst since the Cold War—to encourage regime change or major concessions. The goal includes eliminating remaining outposts of Chinese and Russian influence in the Western Hemisphere following actions in Venezuela.
Trump has characterized Cuba as “virgin territory” for U.S. commercial investment. Potential sectors include tourism, shipping, construction, and access to mineral resources such as nickel and cobalt, along with oil. Officials envision a transition to a market-based economy under a more compliant government, potentially through what has been termed a “friendly takeover,” without long-term nation-building. Strategic interests also involve securing Caribbean shipping lanes and the broader region near the Panama Canal.
The president emphasized finishing the Iran operation thoroughly before any next steps. He noted the dismantling of Iran’s air force, navy, radar capabilities, and much of its missile and drone production capacity.
Trump stated that while some Iranian capacity remains, U.S. forces maintain a dominant position and are working toward a resolution that prevents future threats, particularly nuclear capabilities that could target Israel or other nations.
Throughout the speech, Trump connected military actions to broader economic gains. He pointed to record stock market highs, increased domestic oil production exceeding Saudi Arabia and Russia combined, and new trade flows resulting from the Hormuz Strait blockade. American companies, particularly in energy, have moved into areas opened by recent operations.
The Cuba comments fit into a pattern of assertive U.S. posture in the hemisphere. By addressing Cuba immediately after Iran, Trump indicated a sequenced approach to securing American interests and opening markets. The island’s location and resources position it as a key element in limiting adversarial footholds while expanding U.S. commercial reach.
Trump’s appearance at the Forum Club, which celebrated its 50th anniversary, included remarks on domestic achievements alongside foreign policy. He praised local leaders, discussed infrastructure and economic policies benefiting Florida, and reiterated commitments to border security, tax cuts, and energy production. The event drew a crowd of prominent business and community figures in the Palm Beach area.
The president’s direct reference to using the USS Abraham Lincoln in a show of force near Cuba underscored the confidence expressed in U.S. naval power following operations against Iran. Such statements reflect the administration’s view that completing current missions enables rapid follow-on actions to reshape regional dynamics in favor of American strategic and economic objectives.