politics
Trump Announces No Republicans Have Advised Him on Cuba Policy
President Trump stated Tuesday that no Republicans have approached him about Cuba as he detailed plans for potential military action following Iran and a new executive order expanding sanctions. He described Cuba as a failed country while noting talks could occur. The vast majority of congressional Republicans support his hard-line approach despite criticism from two GOP senators.
May 12, 8:57 AM·1m read1 source
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President Trump said on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, that no Republicans have ever spoken to him about Cuba. He stated, “No Republican has ever spoken to me about Cuba, which is a failed country and only heading in one direction — down! Cuba is asking for help, and we are going to talk.
Trump added extra exclamation points to his May 12, 2026 statement about Cuba. While the vast majority of congressional Republicans back President Trump’s hard-line posture toward Cuba, critics of a potential military intervention include GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and GOP Sen.
Susan Collins of Maine. U.S. would be “taking over” Cuba almost immediately. U.S. aircraft carrier just outside Cuban waters when the Iran conflict has ended.
Trump has said Cuba would be the “next” military operation after Iran. U.S. sanctions against the Cuban government.
U.S. Persons are banned from conducting transactions with them. Mercedes Lopez Rey, 83, stood in her one-room apartment in Old Havana, Cuba, on Friday, April 10, 2026. The article was written by Kerry Picket and published by The Washington Times on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
The Washington Times reported that Trump insists Republicans aren’t counseling him on his get-tough Cuba policy.
