STORY: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday (January 29) that Cuba “will not be able to survive” as he defended his escalating pressure campaign against the Communist-run island.

When asked by a reporter whether the United States was trying to “choke off” Cuba, Trump said he was not intentionally doing so but insisted the country was failing and had treated its people badly, a comment aimed at critics and questions about his broader strategy toward Havana.

Trump’s remarks come as he signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and authorizing the United States to impose tariffs on goods from countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba, part of a campaign to cut off the island’s access to fuel and escalate pressure on its government.

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VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITE BY U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

RESENDING WITH FULL SCRIPT

SHOWS: WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 29, 2026) (U.S. NETWORK POOL - No use USA)

1. U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND U.S. FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP TALKING TO THE PRESS DURING THE PREMIERE OF THE DOCUMENTARY FILM "MELANIA"

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

JOURNALIST: “Are you trying to choke off Cuba?”

TRUMP: “I don't know. The word choke off is awfully tough. Cuba is a failing nation and you have to feel badly for Cuba. They've treated people very badly. We have a lot of Cuban-Americans who really were treated very badly, and they'd probably like to go back and no, I'm not trying to, but it looks like it's something that's just not going to be able to survive. I think Cuba will not be able to survive.”

3. TRUMP TALKING WITH JOURNALISTS