Video: Trump calls Cuba failed state at packed UN Assembly, delegation walks out
A Cuban delegation walked out of the UN General Assembly as US President Donald Trump denounced the island nation and hinted at regime change. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel later said Havana would defend its sovereignty amid renewed pressure from Washington.
The UN General Assembly witnessed drama on Tuesday as US President Donald Trump called Cuba an “absolutely failed state”, prompting members of the Cuban delegation to walk out of the premises. Trump also hinted at a regime change in Cuba, saying that “freedom will be coming there.”
Addressing the UN General Assembly, Trump said his administration was seeking “fundamental change” in Cuba and claimed the communist government was under unprecedented pressure. Calling Cuba “an absolutely failed state”, Trump said, “It’s failing like never before, and it will fall.”
“My administration is also seeking a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba, where the communist regime is under great pressure -- the biggest pressure they've ever been under,” the US President said.
“Communism will never be coming to America, but freedom will be coming to Cuba,” he added.
As Trump made the remarks, the Cuban delegation walked out of the General Assembly hall, highlighting the deepening tensions between Washington and Havana.
CUBA ACCUSES TRUMP OF JUSTIFYING HARSH TREATMENT
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel later responded in a post on X, saying Cuba would defend its sovereignty. He accused Trump of portraying the island nation as a threat to justify what he described as Washington’s harsh treatment of Havana.
The US has maintained a trade embargo against Cuba for more than six decades. The Trump administration has intensified pressure on Havana, with a US-imposed oil blockade earlier this year contributing to fuel shortages and blackouts in the country.
Cuba is also grappling with ageing infrastructure, adding to the pressure on its energy system.
DECADES-OLD US-CUBA TENSIONS
The confrontation at the UN comes against the backdrop of decades of hostility between the two countries, dating back to Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution.
Trump has previously described Cuba as a failed nation. In June, he said the US had “some very good plans” for Cuba and would “take care” of the country.
Washington has openly stated its goal of bringing about political change in Cuba. Trump also continues to enjoy strong support among hardline Cuban-American groups in Florida that have advocated tougher US policy towards Havana.
TRUMP JOKES ABOUT 'DROPPING' RUBIO IN CUBA
Trump joked that he would one day “drop off” Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Cuba to fix the country, as he spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Notably, Rubio's parents were born in Cuba and immigrated to the US in 1956.
“But, I mean, what can I say about Cuba? They had another blackout last night. They don’t have enough for lights. I don’t know what’s going on with Cuba, but they’re not looking so good,” Trump told reporters.
Turning to Rubio, Trump noted his Cuban heritage and said the Secretary of State wanted to “figure it all out” in Cuba. “Marco’s parents were born in Cuba. It’s like a great story, and he wants to figure it all out – Marco, right?” Trump said.
Trump then joked that Rubio could be sent to Cuba to deal with the situation. “I think he has figured it out. So we’re going to, someday in the near future, drop him off in the middle of Cuba,” Trump said, adding that it could happen “on the way back from Iran”.
“We’re gonna have one of those big, beautiful aircraft carriers fly him in, drop him off, and he’ll figure out the rest. He always does,” Trump said as Rubio laughed.
The UN General Assembly witnessed drama on Tuesday as US President Donald Trump called Cuba an “absolutely failed state”, prompting members of the Cuban delegation to walk out of the premises. Trump also hinted at a regime change in Cuba, saying that “freedom will be coming there.”
Addressing the UN General Assembly, Trump said his administration was seeking “fundamental change” in Cuba and claimed the communist government was under unprecedented pressure. Calling Cuba “an absolutely failed state”, Trump said, “It’s failing like never before, and it will fall.”
“My administration is also seeking a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba, where the communist regime is under great pressure -- the biggest pressure they've ever been under,” the US President said.
“Communism will never be coming to America, but freedom will be coming to Cuba,” he added.
As Trump made the remarks, the Cuban delegation walked out of the General Assembly hall, highlighting the deepening tensions between Washington and Havana.
CUBA ACCUSES TRUMP OF JUSTIFYING HARSH TREATMENT
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel later responded in a post on X, saying Cuba would defend its sovereignty. He accused Trump of portraying the island nation as a threat to justify what he described as Washington’s harsh treatment of Havana.
The US has maintained a trade embargo against Cuba for more than six decades. The Trump administration has intensified pressure on Havana, with a US-imposed oil blockade earlier this year contributing to fuel shortages and blackouts in the country.
Cuba is also grappling with ageing infrastructure, adding to the pressure on its energy system.
DECADES-OLD US-CUBA TENSIONS
The confrontation at the UN comes against the backdrop of decades of hostility between the two countries, dating back to Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution.
Trump has previously described Cuba as a failed nation. In June, he said the US had “some very good plans” for Cuba and would “take care” of the country.
Washington has openly stated its goal of bringing about political change in Cuba. Trump also continues to enjoy strong support among hardline Cuban-American groups in Florida that have advocated tougher US policy towards Havana.
TRUMP JOKES ABOUT 'DROPPING' RUBIO IN CUBA
Trump joked that he would one day “drop off” Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Cuba to fix the country, as he spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Notably, Rubio's parents were born in Cuba and immigrated to the US in 1956.
“But, I mean, what can I say about Cuba? They had another blackout last night. They don’t have enough for lights. I don’t know what’s going on with Cuba, but they’re not looking so good,” Trump told reporters.
Turning to Rubio, Trump noted his Cuban heritage and said the Secretary of State wanted to “figure it all out” in Cuba. “Marco’s parents were born in Cuba. It’s like a great story, and he wants to figure it all out – Marco, right?” Trump said.
Trump then joked that Rubio could be sent to Cuba to deal with the situation. “I think he has figured it out. So we’re going to, someday in the near future, drop him off in the middle of Cuba,” Trump said, adding that it could happen “on the way back from Iran”.
“We’re gonna have one of those big, beautiful aircraft carriers fly him in, drop him off, and he’ll figure out the rest. He always does,” Trump said as Rubio laughed.
The UN General Assembly witnessed drama on Tuesday as US President Donald Trump called Cuba an “absolutely failed state”, prompting members of the Cuban delegation to walk out of the premises. Trump also hinted at a regime change in Cuba, saying that “freedom will be coming there.”
Addressing the UN General Assembly, Trump said his administration was seeking “fundamental change” in Cuba and claimed the communist government was under unprecedented pressure. Calling Cuba “an absolutely failed state”, Trump said, “It’s failing like never before, and it will fall.”
“My administration is also seeking a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba, where the communist regime is under great pressure -- the biggest pressure they've ever been under,” the US President said.
“Communism will never be coming to America, but freedom will be coming to Cuba,” he added.
As Trump made the remarks, the Cuban delegation walked out of the General Assembly hall, highlighting the deepening tensions between Washington and Havana.
CUBA ACCUSES TRUMP OF JUSTIFYING HARSH TREATMENT
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel later responded in a post on X, saying Cuba would defend its sovereignty. He accused Trump of portraying the island nation as a threat to justify what he described as Washington’s harsh treatment of Havana.
The US has maintained a trade embargo against Cuba for more than six decades. The Trump administration has intensified pressure on Havana, with a US-imposed oil blockade earlier this year contributing to fuel shortages and blackouts in the country.
Cuba is also grappling with ageing infrastructure, adding to the pressure on its energy system.
DECADES-OLD US-CUBA TENSIONS
The confrontation at the UN comes against the backdrop of decades of hostility between the two countries, dating back to Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution.
Trump has previously described Cuba as a failed nation. In June, he said the US had “some very good plans” for Cuba and would “take care” of the country.
Washington has openly stated its goal of bringing about political change in Cuba. Trump also continues to enjoy strong support among hardline Cuban-American groups in Florida that have advocated tougher US policy towards Havana.
TRUMP JOKES ABOUT 'DROPPING' RUBIO IN CUBA
Trump joked that he would one day “drop off” Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Cuba to fix the country, as he spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Notably, Rubio's parents were born in Cuba and immigrated to the US in 1956.
“But, I mean, what can I say about Cuba? They had another blackout last night. They don’t have enough for lights. I don’t know what’s going on with Cuba, but they’re not looking so good,” Trump told reporters.
Turning to Rubio, Trump noted his Cuban heritage and said the Secretary of State wanted to “figure it all out” in Cuba. “Marco’s parents were born in Cuba. It’s like a great story, and he wants to figure it all out – Marco, right?” Trump said.
Trump then joked that Rubio could be sent to Cuba to deal with the situation. “I think he has figured it out. So we’re going to, someday in the near future, drop him off in the middle of Cuba,” Trump said, adding that it could happen “on the way back from Iran”.
“We’re gonna have one of those big, beautiful aircraft carriers fly him in, drop him off, and he’ll figure out the rest. He always does,” Trump said as Rubio laughed.
