Trump hints at Cuba move after Iran campaign

US President Donald Trump has suggested that Cuba could become the focus of renewed American pressure after the military campaign against Iran raising the possibility of a US naval presence near the Caribbean island and a diplomatic role for Secretary of State Marco RubioSpeaking at a Republican campaign rally in Fort Myers Florida Trump responded to a question about Cuba by linking the islands future to the ongoing American military operations against Iran Cuba he wants to know what about Cuba Give me a break Give me a break Dont worry well take care of Cuba on our way back from Iran Trump told supportersThe President then described a hypothetical scenario in which American naval vessels returning from the Middle East would pass close to Cuba Actually what were going to do with Cuba is were going to come back from Iran he saidThose beautiful ships will pass Cuba Well have one of them stop about 50 yards off the coast theyll raise up their hands and then were going to send Marco Rubio in to finish up the dealThe comments drew applause from the audience although Trump delivered them in a lighthearted manner and did not announce any formal military operation or diplomatic initiative against HavanaHis remarks nevertheless placed Cuba alongside Iran and Venezuela in a broader discussion of his administrations approach to foreign policy and American military power Trump praised Rubio who has been a prominent advocate of a tougher American approach towards CubaHes a hes a great guy Trump said The President did not explain what agreement Rubio might seek whether Washington had opened new negotiations with Havana or what conditions Cuba would have to meetNor did he indicate whether the proposed naval movement was under consideration by the Pentagon Trump made the comments while highlighting what he described as successful American military action against Venezuela and IranHe said that his administration had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and brought him to the United States to face trial We captured and brought to justice the outlaw dictator of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro who is now awaiting trial Trump saidThe President also claimed that the operation in Venezuela had been completed in a single day and that the United States was subsequently working with the country to expand oil production He used those assertions to portray his administration as willing to employ military force to achieve foreign policy objectivesTurning to Iran Trump said American operations had severely weakened Tehrans military and nuclear capabilities He also left open the possibility of further strikes if Iran failed to reach an agreement with Washington The President did not explicitly connect his comments about Cuba to any proposed military campaign against the islandCuba and the United States have experienced decades of strained relations since the Cuban Revolution of 1959 American sanctions and disagreements over political freedoms security and regional influence have remained central issues in bilateral relationsRubio a CubanAmerican politician from Florida has long supported a hardline policy towards Havana His position on Cuba has been an important part of his foreign policy record making Trumps reference to a possible negotiating role for him politically significantThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever