German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday (April 20) at a press conference alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that he does not see on what basis the United States could intervene in Cuba.

"Despite all the domestic problems Cuba faces under the communist regime, there is absolutely no discernible threat to third countries outside Cuba and that is why I do not see on what grounds an intervention should take place here,” Merz told reporters in Hanover on the sidelines of an industry fair hosted by Brazil.

U.S. President Donald Trump late last month said "Cuba is next" during a speech at an investment forum in Miami during which he touted the successes of U.S. military action in Venezuela and Iran.

While the president did not specify what precisely he plans to do with the island nation, he has frequently said he believes the government in Havana, facing a severe economic crisis, is on the verge of collapse.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

HANOVER, GERMANY (APRIL 20, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1 GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ LISTENING TO REPORTER’S QUESTION AT NEWS CONFERENCE WITH BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA ON SIDELINES OF HANOVER TRADE FAIR

2. MERZ SPEAKING, NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

3. LULA LISTENING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, FRIEDRICH MERZ, SAYING:

“From my point of view, I would simply like to add: there is absolutely no discernible basis for intervention in Cuba. Despite all the domestic problems Cuba faces under the communist regime, there is absolutely no discernible threat to third countries outside Cuba and that is why I do not see on what grounds an intervention should take place here.”

5. SIDE VIEW OF PODIUM, MERZ SPEAKING / REPORTERS

6. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, FRIEDRICH MERZ, SAYING:

"I can only offer the urgent advice that, if there are conflicts, if there are efforts to bring about change – including with regard to freedom of movement, open borders and human rights – we should pursue this path through diplomatic means and peacefully, rather than needlessly starting a new conflict in the world here, which would only create further problems.”

7. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

8. MERZ SPEAKING

9. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, FRIEDRICH MERZ, SAYING:

"But the ability to defend oneself does not mean having the right to intervene militarily in other states simply because their political systems do not align with what others might expect. In that respect, the situation is clear in my view. But I do not think there is any reason for the United States of America to launch such an operation. In any case, I hope that those that have already begun will be brought to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible, and that no new ones will be added.”

10. LULA AND MERZ SHAKING HANDS, THEN HUGGING

11. LULA AND CABINET MEMBERS ARRIVING FOR GERMAN-BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT CONSULTATIONS, FILMED EARLIER

12. VARIOUS OF ROUND TABLE

13. BRAZILIAN AND GERMAN CABINETS POSING FOR FAMILY PHOTO, FILMED EARLIER

14. GERMAN ECONOMY MINISTER KATHERINA REICHE LOOKING ON

15. MERZ AND LULA ARRIVING TO JOIN THEIR CABINETS FOR FAMILY PHOTO

16. VARIOUS OF LULA AND MERZ POSING FOR PHOTO BEFORE THEY SHAKE HANDS