Trump's Cuba remarks to the UN General Assembly
Donald TrumpPresident of the United States, addressing the 81st UN General Assembly
President Trump told the UN General Assembly that his administration is seeking a fundamental change in Cuba, called Cuba an absolutely failed state, and said its government will fall. He said Secretary of State Marco Rubio is deep into negotiations with Cuba and that the United States will not allow a haven for foreign adversaries on its doorstep.
“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. It's an absolutely failed state. It's failing like never before, and it will fall.”
Original text
Where this statement fits
Should the United States seek "fundamental change" in Cuba's government?
In his September 22, 2026 address to the UN General Assembly, President Trump called Cuba "an absolutely failed state," said it is "failing like never before, and it will fall," and said his administration is "seeking a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba." He also said Secretary of State Marco Rubio is "deep into negotiations with Cuba." The Cuban delegation walked out of the hall during the remarks. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez responded on X that Washington cannot accept that Cuba is independent and sovereign, called Trump's statements false, and said Cuba is not a threat to the United States or to other countries. The dispute is whether the United States should openly pursue the fall of Cuba's government.
Source and context
Original text
About this source
Record of President Trump's September 22, 2026 address to the UN General Assembly, sourced by the Miller Center from the White House. The address covers the war with Iran, the Western Hemisphere, Venezuela, Mexico and Cuba. In the Cuba passage, Trump calls Cuba an absolutely failed state, says it will fall, and says his administration is seeking a fundamental change in Cuba.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The address came after months of U.S. pressure on Cuba, including a January 29, 2026 executive order threatening tariffs on countries that export fuel to the island.
After the quotation
The Cuban delegation walked out of the hall during the remarks. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez answered on X the same day, calling Trump's claims falsehoods and saying Cuba is not a threat.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Trump's statement asserts and defends the objective the case asks about: openly seeking fundamental change in Cuba's government.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba
More from this case
Read the full caseRodríguez tells the UN the U.S. is waging economic war on Cuba for regime change
“At the UN General Assembly I denounced the economic war the U.S. is waging against Cuba for the purposes of domination and "regime change." This aggression includes a fuel blockade, which is equivalent to a naval blockade, which is an act of war and an act of collective punishment and genocide, prohibited by international law. (Translated from Spanish. Original: En la Asamblea General de @ONU_es denuncié la guerra económica que EEUU lleva a cabo contra Cuba con fines de de dominación y "cambio de régimen". Esta agresión incluye un bloqueo de combustible, que equivale a un bloqueo naval, que es un acto de guerra y un acto de castigo colectivo y de genocidio, proscritos por el Derecho Internacional.)”Read statement
Rodríguez rejects Trump's talk of U.S. ships stopping off Cuba and warns against hostile landings
“We reject any threat over U.S. ambitions toward Cuba. On our coasts there are beautiful beaches, but also jagged dog's-tooth rock, inhospitable to those who arrive with hostile aims and a hunger for domination. (Translated from Spanish. Original: Rechazamos toda amenaza sobre ambiciones de EEUU hacia Cuba. En nuestras costas hay bellas playas, pero también diente de perro, inhóspito para quienes llegan con fines hostiles y ansias de dominación.)”Read statement
Rodríguez says Trump's UN speech does not reflect what most Americans think about Cuba
“American society does not go along with the policy of maximum pressure against Cuba. ... In the speech delivered at the UN, the President of the U.S. says he speaks on behalf of the U.S., but he does not reflect what most of its population thinks. (Translated from Spanish. Original: La sociedad estadounidense no acompaña la política de máxima presión contra Cuba. ... En el discurso pronunciado en @ONU_es, el Presidente de EEUU dice hablar en nombre de EEUU, pero no refleja lo que opina la mayor parte de su población.)”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Trump's Cuba remarks to the UN General Assembly". First published: 2026-09-29. Last updated: 2026-09-29. https://disputeindex.com/events/3287-president-trump-told-the-un-general-assembly-that