Trump Says US Operation in Cuba Mirrors Venezuela Raid

President Donald Trump has suggested that a potential U.S. operation in Cuba could resemble the swift military raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in Caracas last January. In an interview, Trump said such an action was "possible" but declined to offer a specific timeline, describing his plans as flexible.

The president made the comparison during a conversation, noting the logistical advantages of Cuba's proximity. He contrasted operations in the Western Hemisphere with the more complex U.S. campaign against Iran, citing distance and military scale as key factors. Trump also pointed to a fundamental difference between the two Latin American nations, stating, "Venezuela has oil. Cuba doesn't."

Trump emphasized that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose parents emigrated from Cuba, is deeply involved in the administration's policy toward the island. The president has previously floated the idea of a "friendly takeover" and expressed a preference for a peaceful transition, but officials have reportedly conducted military planning exercises for scenarios involving the collapse of Cuba's government.

The comments come amid a period of intense pressure on Havana. The U.S....