President Donald Trump vowed to ‘take care of Cuba’ during the Shield of the Americas Summit, a gathering of Latin American leaders in Miami, Florida. The summit, hosted at Trump National Doral Miami, brought together leaders from 13 countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Venezuela, to discuss regional security and economic cooperation.

Trump’s Comments on Cuba

Speaking to the assembled leaders, Trump said, ‘Many of you have traveled and they say, ‘I wish you could take care of Cuba.’ Because you have problems with Cuba, right?’ He added, ‘I was surprised, but four of you said, actually, ‘Could you do America a favor? Take care of Cuba.’ I’ll take care of it, okay?’ His remarks were met with applause from the crowd.

The comments come amid growing tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, with many Cuban-Americans hoping for a shift in U.S. policy toward the communist nation. The Trump administration has already eased a U.S. oil embargo on Venezuela, allowing increased oil shipments to Cuba. The move comes as Venezuela faces severe shortages and power outages, leaving millions without electricity, according to The Associated Press.

U.S. Influence in Latin America

Trump also praised the acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, for her cooperation with the United States. ‘She’s doing a great job because she’s moving with us. If she wasn’t moving with us, I would not say she’s doing a great job. In fact, she wasn’t moving with us, I’d say she’s doing a very mediocre job, unacceptable, but she’s doing a great job,’ Trump said.

He highlighted the positive economic impact of U.S. oil exports and future gold and mineral trade deals on Venezuela’s economy. ‘Because of U.S. assistance, Venezuela’s economic picture is considerably brighter,’ Trump stated, suggesting that the change in Maduro’s government could serve as a model for other countries.

Since the U.S. seizure and apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, there have been calls from some in the U.S. to support efforts to remove Cuba’s leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel. Trump’s comments at the summit indicate a potential alignment of U.S. foreign policy with these sentiments.

What’s Next for U.S.-Cuba Relations

The U.S. has been gradually increasing its involvement in Latin America, with Trump’s administration focusing on countering cartel activity and strengthening economic ties with countries like Venezuela. The easing of the oil embargo on Venezuela has allowed more oil to flow to Cuba, potentially easing some of the economic pressures on the island nation.

Analysts suggest that Trump’s comments on Cuba may signal a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy, although it remains to be seen how this will translate into concrete actions. The summit provided a platform for Trump to reaffirm U.S. commitments to regional security and economic cooperation, while also addressing domestic concerns about Cuba’s political and economic challenges.

With the Trump administration’s continued focus on Latin America, the future of U.S.-Cuba relations could see further developments, particularly if there is a shift in leadership in either country. The summit’s discussions on regional security and economic cooperation may also influence future U.S. policies in the region.