Trump says U.S. warships could make a “stopover” near Cuba after Iran, and Rubio urges Cubans to work with the CIA
AP, Reuters, PBS NewsHour and ANI reported that President Donald Trump told a Florida rally on Friday, Oct. 23, that the United States would deal with Cuba after Iran and that U.S. warships could “do a little stopover” near the island. AP said Trump revived the idea of military intervention in Cuba, and Reuters headlined that he vowed to deal with Cuba once Iran is settled. Fox News, The Hill and the Guardian reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio then posted on X that “now is the time” for political change in Cuba and urged Cubans seeking change to work discreetly with the CIA. The Hill reported that Rubio floated a CIA “partnership” to Cubans tired of “failed promises, corruption.” According to the reports, the post did not identify an operation or say what cooperation would involve. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez rejected “all threats regarding U.S. ambitions toward Cuba,” the reports said.
The statements arrive together from the president and the Secretary of State, which is why outlets treated them as linked even though the reports describe no plan, timetable or deployment. The president’s remarks came at a Florida rally, according to AP and PBS NewsHour.
If you have family in Cuba or travel plans there, the State Department’s travel notices and your airline are the places to check, since the reports reviewed announce no change in travel rules. Otherwise, the reports describe words rather than actions so far.
The administration’s side, as quoted, is that change in Cuba is overdue: Rubio wrote that “now is the time,” and Trump said the United States would take care of Cuba after Iran. On this view, the messages signal intent and invite Cubans to act.
The Cuban government’s side, as reported, is rejection: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez rejected “all threats regarding U.S. ambitions toward Cuba.” On this view, the remarks are threats that Havana will not accept.
Confirmed: Trump said warships could stop over near Cuba after Iran, Rubio urged Cubans to work with the CIA, and Cuba’s foreign minister rejected the threats. Not confirmed: any operation, timetable or deployment, or what a CIA partnership would involve. Watch for a White House or Pentagon follow-up and for any Cuban government statement beyond Rodríguez’s.
DailyDrop U.S. No. 20 · October 24, 2026