Will Trump actually try to "take" Cuba?
May 07, 2026
Whatever the reason, the ship’s pause comes as US President Donald Trump looks for a win in the Caribbean island.
But between a defiant regime, weak opposition, and Cuban Americans with high expectations, a quick fix is harder than it sounds.
Trump says he will have “the honor of taking Cuba.” While a military intervention seems unlikely for now, US pressure has pushed Cuba's economy into freefall, and Trump wants to be the president who finally delivers what no one else could. The problem: Cuba has no political alternative to replace the Castro government, and even an economic deal risks a backlash from Cuban Americans who want regime change. Ian Bremmer breaks down what Trump actually wants from Cuba, and why it won't be simple.
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