Daijiworld Media Network - Seoul

Seoul, Mar 28: US President Donald Trump sparked fresh controversy after declaring “Cuba is next” during a speech, hinting at possible future action following recent American operations abroad.

Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative conference in Miami, Trump made the remark while discussing U.S. military actions in Venezuela and Iran. He briefly attempted to downplay the comment, asking the media to ignore it, before repeating the statement.

The statement comes in the backdrop of major geopolitical developments, including a U.S. operation earlier this year that led to the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and ongoing joint U.S.-Israeli military actions targeting Iran.

Cuba, which has long faced economic hardship due to decades of U.S. sanctions, is currently grappling with a severe fuel and financial crisis. International observers, including the United Nations, have warned that shortages are pushing the country toward a humanitarian emergency.

Earlier in March, Trump had suggested that Cuba could soon see major political change, though he indicated his administration’s immediate focus remains on Iran.

In the same speech, Trump also launched a sharp critique of the NATO, describing the alliance as a “paper tiger” and questioning its reliability. He argued that member nations had failed to adequately support the United States during critical moments.

Raising doubts about Washington’s future commitments, Trump said the U.S. should reconsider defending allies who do not reciprocate support. He also recounted conversations with European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, claiming that offers of assistance came only after conflicts had ended.

The remarks underline a more assertive and controversial foreign policy stance, as tensions continue to rise across multiple regions.