Brazilian President Says Trump Has No Plans to Invade Cuba
The Brazilian president told reporters that President Trump stated the United States has no intention of invading Cuba during a three-hour White House meeting on Thursday. The Brazilian leader described the statement as a positive sign and noted Cuba's interest in diplomatic talks to end its long-standing blockade. The meeting comes as the U.S.
SemaforThe Brazilian president said after a three-hour meeting with President Trump at the White House on Thursday that bilateral ties had stabilized. The Brazilian leader told reporters that Trump conveyed he has no intention of invading Cuba, describing the assurance as a great sign.
The statement came during a press conference at the Brazilian Embassy. The Brazilian president said he heard Trump say, through an interpreter, that there were no such plans. Cuba is willing to engage in diplomacy with the United States to resolve the longstanding blockade, the Brazilian leader added.
The White House had no immediate comment on the remarks. Earlier last week, Trump had spoken of taking over Cuba almost immediately after concluding operations related to Iran. He had also discussed positioning a U.S. aircraft carrier near Cuban waters and described Cuba as the next military operation.
Trump signed an executive order last week expanding U.S. sanctions on the Cuban government. The directive allows blocking of property and financial interests tied to sanctioned individuals. It also prohibits most transactions by U.S. persons with them and imposes travel restrictions on certain Cuban government-linked individuals.
Cuban leaders have criticized the new sanctions. They accuse the United States of maintaining measures that have prevented Cuba from becoming a fully integrated nation since the 1959 revolution.
Ties between the two countries had deteriorated after the U.S. imposed levies on Brazilian imports linked to Brasília's prosecution of a former president aligned with Trump. The Brazilian leader has also criticized U.S. foreign policy and trade practices in the past.
Relations have improved recently as the White House aims to reassert U.S. regional supremacy. Officials are also seeking increased American access to rare earths, according to one analysis. A prominent expert on Latin America described the Brazilian president's visit as part of a broader global story driven by acute U.S. needs for these minerals.
The Brazilian president said the meeting lasted three hours. He expressed hope that the exchange would lead to better overall relations between the two leaders who had clashed repeatedly before.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- May 7, 2026
Brazilian president met with Trump at the White House for three hours.
3 sourcesSemafor · The Washington Times · The American Conservative - May 7, 2026
Brazilian president told reporters Trump said the U.S. has no intention of invading Cuba.
3 sourcesSemafor · The Washington Times · The American Conservative - Last week, 2026
Trump signed executive order expanding sanctions on Cuban government.
1 sourceThe Washington Times - Last week, 2026
Trump publicly discussed taking over Cuba and positioning aircraft carrier nearby.
1 sourceThe Washington Times - May 8, 2026
Semafor reported the meeting raised hopes of improved relations amid U.S. interest in rare earths.
1 sourceSemafor
Potential Impact
- 01
New U.S. sanctions will restrict financial transactions and travel tied to certain Cuban officials.
- 02
Cuba will likely continue pressing for an end to the U.S. economic blockade through diplomatic channels.
- 03
U.S. and Brazilian officials may pursue joint projects to secure rare earth mineral supplies.
- 04
Improved bilateral ties could reduce tariffs previously imposed on Brazilian imports.
- 05
The White House may clarify its Cuba policy in response to the Brazilian president's public comments.
Transparency Panel
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