Donald Trump warns Cuba could face American intervention after speaking about Venezuela operation and temporary US governance of Caracas

In a striking turn during a press conference about Venezuela, former President Donald Trump hinted that Cuba might be facing American intervention next.

“I think Cuba is going to be something we’ll end up talking about,” he said, describing the Caribbean nation as “very badly failing” and emphasizing that the people there have suffered under the current system for decades.

Trump’s remarks come amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, with the former president reinstating Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism and reapplying economic sanctions after Joe Biden had removed it last year.

The island nation remains under a strict embargo, limiting imports and exports while straining its already struggling economy.

Marco Rubio Warns Cuban Leaders to Be Concerned

Joining Trump at the press event, Secretary of State Marco Rubio — whose parents fled Cuba during the revolution — issued a pointed warning to Havana’s leadership.

“Suffice it to say, Cuba is a disaster,” Rubio said bluntly.

“It’s run by incompetent, senile men. If I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I’d be concerned, at least a little bit.”

Rubio’s comments were framed against the backdrop of the U.S. military’s dramatic operation in Venezuela, highlighting the message the administration appears to be sending to other socialist-led governments in the region.

Operation Absolute Resolve: The Capture of Maduro

The press conference also highlighted the U.S. mission that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, the mission involved 150 aircraft and hundreds of soldiers, culminating in a daring Delta Force raid that apprehended the couple from their Caracas compound.

Maduro, who has ruled Venezuela since 2013, was flown by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima before being transported to New York to face narcoterrorism and firearms charges.

Trump authorized the mission around 10:45 pm Friday, with troops moving swiftly overnight to execute the plan with precision.

Threats Extend Beyond Venezuela

Trump used the press conference to hint that U.S. military scrutiny isn’t limited to Venezuela.

He specifically called out Colombian President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of running cocaine production facilities. “He has cocaine mills.

He has factories where he makes cocaine,” Trump said. “He has to watch his a**.”

The rhetoric fueled speculation that other South American nations, including Brazil, might soon be drawn into U.S. strategic calculations, particularly regarding regional security and military developments.

Public Reactions in Havana and Beyond

Not surprisingly, Trump’s statements and the capture of Maduro prompted immediate reactions in Cuba.

Thousands rallied in Havana, chanting slogans like “Down with imperialism!” while expressing solidarity with the ousted Venezuelan leader.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan migrants and supporters of Maduro elsewhere celebrated his removal, creating a stark contrast between jubilant supporters abroad and a tense, uncertain atmosphere across Caracas and Havana.

U.S. Plans to Govern Venezuela Temporarily

Trump revealed plans for the United States to take temporary control of Venezuela’s government, citing concerns over a smooth and “judicious transition.”

“We’re going to run the country until we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” he said, adding that Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would oversee the interim administration.

Though he mentioned using Venezuela’s oil reserves to fund reconstruction, Trump provided few specifics on the logistics or which American companies might be involved.

The focus, he suggested, would be on stabilizing the country until a permanent leadership structure could be put in place.

A Bold Message to Socialist Leaders

The combined message of the press conference was clear: Venezuela’s operation was a demonstration of U.S. military capability, a warning to Cuba, and a sign that other leaders involved in narcotics or corrupt regimes could be next.

Trump stressed that Congress was kept in the dark to protect operational security, framing the mission as both a strategic and symbolic maneuver.

With Maduro in custody, Flores facing potential charges, and U.S. officials temporarily managing Venezuela, the region faces a period of intense uncertainty — and Cuba now finds itself squarely in the administration’s crosshairs.

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