Trump vows to ‘take care of Cuba,’ praises Venezuela cooperation at summit : NPR
President Trump signs proclamation pledging to combat criminal cartel activities at the Americas Shield Summit.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
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Rebecca Blackwell/AP
President Trump launched the Shield of the Americas Summit – a coalition of Latin American leaders – on Saturday by pledging to “take care of Cuba” as the United States steps up its intervention in the region.
“A lot of you came today and said, ‘I hope you can take care of Cuba.’ Because you have problems with Cuba, don’t you?” Trump told the gathering of Latin American leaders.
“I was surprised, but four of you actually said, ‘Could you do us a favor?’ Take care of Cuba. I’ll take care of it, okay? » he continued to the applause of the crowd.
Present at the meeting were the leaders of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago. The event took place at the Trump National Doral Miami Golf Course in Doral, Florida.
His comments follow tensions between Cuba and the United States and many Cuban-Americans are hoping for regime change for the communist nation.
The Trump administration has eased the blockade of Venezuelan oil, allowing some private sector oil sales to Cuba. The country experienced fuel shortages and power outages that left millions without power, according to the Associated Press.
Since the U.S. capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, those who want to see Cuba’s government overthrown see Trump’s stance on foreign intervention as a signal that America could similarly help orchestrate Miguel Díaz-Canel’s ouster from Cuba.
Speaking about Venezuela’s change in leadership since Maduro’s capture, Trump praised interim President Delcy Rodríguez for her cooperation with the United States.
“She’s doing a great job because she’s working with us. If she wasn’t working with us, I wouldn’t say she’s doing a great job. In fact, she wasn’t working with us, I would say she’s doing a terrible job, that’s unacceptable, but she’s doing a great job,” Trump said.
He added that thanks to U.S. aid, Venezuela’s economic situation was significantly better thanks to U.S. oil exports and future trade in gold and minerals.
Trump hailed Maduro’s leadership transition as a model for regime change.
