President Trump said on Sept. 26 he does not expect U.S. military action in Cuba and expects a negotiated outcome instead. His earlier U.N. remarks — that Cuba "will fall" as the U.S. seeks "fundamental change" — prompted the Cuban delegation to walk out. The administration has pressed Havana with measures including restricted oil shipments, and Trump said Marco Rubio is involved in related talks. He also emphasized that the U.S. wants to "open Cuba up" to Cuban Americans who wish to return.
Trump Says Military Unlikely as U.S. Pushes for Change in Cuba After U.N. Walkout
Trump on Cuba: 'I don't think we'll need the military.'
President Donald Trump told reporters on Sept. 26 that he does not expect U.S. military action in Cuba and instead anticipates a negotiated outcome between Washington and Havana.
Asked about reports that U.S. military units had been activated in connection with tensions over the island, Trump replied:
"I would say that Cuba and the U.S. will make a deal. I don't think we'll need the military. Cuba is failing very badly. We want to help Cuba. We want to open Cuba up to our people."
The remarks follow a speech at the U.N. General Assembly earlier this week in which Trump said his administration was "seeking a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba" and asserted the country "will fall." That comment prompted members of the Cuban delegation to stand and leave the hall during his address.
Trump also reiterated a broader ideological point on Sept. 22: "Communism will never be coming to America, but freedom will be coming to Cuba."
Speaking about diplomatic efforts, Trump said that Marco Rubio is involved in talks related to Cuba. (Marco Rubio is a U.S. senator; reports and statements have variously referenced engagement by U.S. officials as part of a broader pressure campaign.) The administration has said its measures are intended to accelerate political and economic change on the island, including restrictions that have affected oil shipments to Cuba.
Context From Havana
The article also notes developments in Cuba's leadership profile. On Aug. 13, 2026, a gala at Havana's Karl Marx Theatre projected an image of the late Fidel Castro to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. On the same date, Raul Castro — reported to be 95 and who has appeared in public sparingly in recent months — attended the centenary commemoration and received a standing ovation.
Outside the White House on Saturday morning, Trump reiterated that many Cuban Americans want to return to the island and said the United States seeks to "open Cuba up" to its people.
Contributing: Miles J. Herszenhorn and Francesca Chambers
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: "Trump on Cuba: 'I don't think we'll need the military.'"
An image of the late leaderFidel Castrois projected during a gala commemorating the 100th anniversary of his birth at the Karl Marx Theatre in Havana, on Aug. 13, 2026. The 95-year-old and US-indicted Cuban leader Raul Castro received a standing ovation as he appeared in public for the first time in months on Aug. 13, 2026, attending an event in Havana to mark the centenary of his brother Fidel's birth.(YAMIL LAGE, AFP via Getty Images)
People attend a political and cultural show paying tribute to the late Cuban President Fidel Castro as Cuba marks what would have been his 100th birthday, in Havana, Cuba, on Aug. 13, 2026.(Norlys Perez, Reuters)
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel speaks during a political and cultural show paying tribute to the late Cuban President Fidel Castro as Cuba marks what would have been his 100th birthday, in Havana, Cuba, on Aug. 13, 2026.(Norlys Perez, Reuters)
Former Cuban President Raul Castro attends a political and cultural show paying tribute to late Cuban President Fidel Castro as Cuba marks what would have been his 100th birthday in Havana, Cuba, on Aug. 13, 2026.(Norlys Perez, Reuters)
Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo", grandson of former Cuban President Raul Castro, attends a political and cultural show paying tribute to late Cuban President Fidel Castro as Cuba marks what would have been his 100th birthday in Havana, Cuba, on Aug. 13, 2026.(Norlys Perez, Reuters)
People attend a political and cultural show paying tribute to the late Cuban President Fidel Castro as Cuba marks what would have been his 100th birthday, in Havana, Cuba August 13, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez(Norlys Perez, Reuters)
A screen shows an archival black-and-white video of the late Cuban President Fidel Castro speaking, during a political and cultural show paying tribute to him as Cuba marks what would have been his 100th birthday, in Havana, Cuba, on Aug. 13, 2026.(Norlys Perez, Reuters)
A teacher writes in a notebook, as Cuba marks what would have been late Cuban leader Fidel Castro's 100th birthday, in Havana, Cuba, on Aug. 12, 2026.(Norlys Perez, Reuters)
Former prisoner David Ramos, 60, shows a tattoo of late Cuban President Fidel Castro, as Cuba marks what would have been his 100th birthday, in Havana, Cuba, on Aug. 12, 2026.(Norlys Perez, Reuters)
A woman flips through a book in front of an image of the late Cuban President Fidel Castro, as Cuba marks what would have been his 100th birthday, in Havana, Cuba, on Aug. 10, 2026.(Norlys Perez, Reuters)
School workers gather at the entrance near posters dedicated to the late Cuban President Fidel Castro, as Cuba marks what would have been his 100th birthday, in Havana, Cuba, on Aug. 12, 2026.(Norlys Perez, Reuters)
A man reads a book at a stand selling books dedicated to the late Cuban President Fidel Castro, as Cuba marks what would have been his 100th birthday, in Havana, Cuba, on Aug. 10, 2026.(Norlys Perez, Reuters)
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