STORY: U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (March 16) told reporters at the White House that he thinks he will have the "honor" of taking Cuba.

"You know, all my life I've been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? I do believe I'll be the honor of, having the honor of taking Cuba," Trump said in the Oval Office.

"Think I could do anything I want with it...They’re a very weakened nation, right now. They were for a long time," Trump added.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IN THE OVAL OFFICE / SOUNDBITES FROM TRUMP ON CUBA

SHOWS: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MARCH 16, 2026) (UNRESTRICTED POOL - Access all)

1. WIDE OF U.S. PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESS IN THE OVAL OFFICE / JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION ABOUT CUBA

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING (IN EXCHANGE WITH JOURNALIST):

TRUMP: “Cuba.”

JOURNALIST OFF-CAMERA: “Is Cuba, whatever you do with the military there, it seems like something will that looks more like Iran or Venezuela?”

TRUMP: “Can’t tell you that. I can tell you that they're talking to us. It's a failed nation. They have no money. They have no oil. They have no nothing. They have nice land. They have nice landscape, you know? It's a beautiful island.”

3. PRESS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING (IN EXCHANGE WITH JOURNALIST):

TRUMP: “But I think Cubans…You know, all my life I've been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? I do believe I'll be the honor of, having the honor of taking Cuba. That woul be, that’s it's a big honor…”

JOURNALIST OFF-CAMERA: “Taking Cuba?”

TRUMP: "Taking Cuba in some form. I mean, whether I free it, take it. Think I could do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth. They’re a very weakened nation, right now. They were for a long time. Very violent, very violent leaders. (Fidel) Castro was a very violent leader. His brother is a very violent leader. Extremely violent. That's how they governed. They governed with violence. But a lot of people would like to go back. Okay. One more question.”

5. WIDE OF TRUMP AND U.S. VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE IN THE OVAL OFFICE