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Trump says Cuba ‘going to fall pretty soon’ as US prosecutors look into cases against its leaders

Justice Department team explores possible charges against Cuban officials amid growing pressure from Washington

3 min readMar 7, 2026 06:43 AM IST First published on: Mar 7, 2026 at 06:43 AM IST
President Donald TrumpPresident Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion on college sports in the East Room of the White House, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo)

US President Donald Trump has said Cuba is “going to fall pretty soon”, as US prosecutors examine possible legal cases against leaders of the island’s communist government, according to reports by CNN.

In a phone interview with CNN, Trump said the Cuban government was under increasing pressure and suggested that change could come soon. “Cuba is going to fall pretty soon,” he told the broadcaster. He added that Havana was eager to negotiate with Washington, saying the country “wants to make a deal so badly”.

The comments follow remarks he made earlier at the White House this week, where he again said Cuba was seeking talks with the United States.

President Donald Trump
House Speaker Mike Johnson, President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio listen during a roundtable discussion on college sports in the East Room of the White House. (AP)

Speaking to CNN’s Dana Bash, Trump said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio would play a key role in dealing with the situation. Rubio’s family left Cuba during the rule of former leader Fulgencio Batista.

“We’ve got plenty of time, but Cuba’s ready – after 50 years,” Trump said.

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Cuba has been facing a severe energy shortage in recent months. The situation worsened after the US targeted shipments linked to Venezuela, one of Havana’s main oil suppliers. The shortages have led to widespread power cuts, with large parts of the country experiencing blackouts.

At the same time, US prosecutors in Florida are exploring possible criminal cases against Cuban officials, according to the Associated Press (AP).

US attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jason Reding Quiñones, has formed a working group of federal prosecutors and investigators to examine whether members of Cuba’s government or its Communist Party may have violated US laws.

The group includes officials from several agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, according to people familiar with the effort who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss it publicly.

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It is not yet clear which officials may be under scrutiny or what charges investigators could pursue.

A spokesperson for the US Justice Department said federal prosecutors “work every day to pursue justice, which includes efforts to combat transnational crime”.

The reported investigation comes as Trump has taken a tougher public stance toward Cuba’s leadership and has suggested the possibility of closer US involvement in the country’s future political direction.

The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More

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