President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (May 12) that Cuba is a "failed nation", as the Caribbean nation grapples under tough US sanctions and a blockade.

Trump has heaped pressure on the Caribbean island nation since returning to office last year, and threatened that Cuba "is next" after U.S. forces captured Nicolas Maduro, the president of longtime Cuban ally Venezuela, in January.

Trump has imposed fresh financial sanctions on Cuba and expanded others. His administration also has imposed a fuel blockade, curtailed U.S. travel and remittances to Cuba and sought to dissuade regional allies from contracting Cuban doctors.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MAY 12, 2026) (UNRESTRICTED POOL - None)

1. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WITH MEDIA

2. TRUMP SPEAKING TO MEDIA, MEDIA GATHERED

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, SAYING: (EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO AND VIDEO AS INCOMING)

JOURNALIST (OFF CAMERA): "Does the President of Cuba have his days numbered?"

TRUMP: " Well, look, they're not doing well. Cuba is not doing well. It's a failed nation. And we'll be talking about Cuba at the right time."

4. TRUMP WITH MEDIA