US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, 22 September disclosed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was actively engaged in negotiations with Cuba, as the administration pursued what Trump described as a fundamental transformation of the Communist-governed island. The disclosure came during Trump's address to the UN General Assembly in New York.

What Trump Said About Cuba

Trump offered few specifics, neither describing the nature of the talks nor identifying the Cuban officials involved. 'Marco Rubio is handling a negotiation. He's deep into negotiations with Cuba. Let's see what happens,' Trump said during his address.

He claimed the Cuban government was under unprecedented pressure and predicted its eventual collapse. 'My administration is also seeking a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba, where the Communist regime is under great pressure, the biggest pressure they've ever been under,' he said. 'It's an absolutely failed state. It's failing like never before, and it will fall,' he added.

US Security Stance on Cuba

Trump also asserted that the United States would not allow Cuba to serve as a base for foreign adversaries. 'We'll not allow a haven for foreign adversaries to threaten America on our own doorstep,' he said, describing Cuba as being 'right at our doorstep.'

He further accused the Cuban government of cultivating links with left-wing organisations and Communist networks inside the United States, naming the Communist Party USA, Antifa, and the Democratic Socialists of America. Trump offered no detailed evidence during his address, stating that the allegations had previously been outlined by the US State Department. 'Communism will never be coming to America, but freedom will be coming to Cuba,' he declared.

Broader Western Hemisphere Doctrine

Trump placed his Cuba remarks within a sweeping assertion of American power across the Western Hemisphere, vowing that the United States would no longer permit hostile governments, drug cartels, or foreign adversaries to establish a strategic foothold in the region. He said military force would be deployed when necessary to protect vital US interests.

He pointed to the American military operation in Venezuela that led to the arrest of former President Nicolás Maduro, noting that hundreds of Venezuelan political prisoners had subsequently been freed and that Washington was cooperating with the country's new leadership. Trump also cited an oil agreement covering 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan reserves, describing it as mutually beneficial and potentially significant for global energy costs.

Cartels and Regional Security

Trump compared drug cartels operating in the region to the Islamic State group. He said the United States had carried out dozens of strikes against drug-trafficking vessels and had killed the leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. He called Mexico the centre of cartel violence but said Washington maintained a productive relationship with the Mexican government and had made measurable progress in confronting organised criminal groups. 'Our actions in Venezuela are proof that the United States will no longer permit threats to America to gain a foothold anywhere in the Western Hemisphere,' Trump added.