Trump Vows Cuba Takeover, Tightens Sanctions

0:00On May 2nd, President Trump doubled down on his talk about taking over Cuba, saying it will happen almost right away after wrapping up in Iran. He dropped this during a speech Friday at the Kravitz Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, nodding to a crowd that included folks with Cuban roots. Trump painted a picture of a massive U.S. aircraft carrier swinging by Cuban waters on the way back from the Middle East. Cuba's dealing with non-stop blackouts and a brutal economic crunch made worse by a U.S. oil blockade linked to Venezuela's drama. That same day, Trump signed an executive order ramping up sanctions on Cuba's security forces, energy, finance, and mining sectors. It blocks assets, bans U.S. business deals, and slaps travel limits on key figures, all to hit what he calls, threats to national security, just 90 miles from Florida. Cuban leaders fired back hard, with President Miguel Dias Canal calling the sanctions course of punishment on everyday people. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said they won't bow to U.S. pressure while America cracks

1:03down on its own protesters. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate voted 51 to 47 along party lines to block a measure that would have required Congress to okay any military. Moves against Cuba. Earlier comments from Trump echo this, like last month when he said he'd free or take Cuba in some form. No official plans are out, but the rhetoric and penalties keep heating up, pressuring Cuba's government, foreign firms there, and even U.S. allies in. The region. As Trump wrapped his speech, jumping from Iran to airports and election wins, the crowd gave a standing ovation, but Cuba stays front and center in his foreign policy flow.