Speaking Thursday around 4:30 p.m. ET, Trump
called Cuba 'sort of collapsed' due to its economic and energy woes, worsened
by a U.S. oil blockade since early 2026 after Venezuela's regime change.
The remarks follow a January national emergency
declaration over Cuba's ties to Russia, China, and others, with prediction
markets showing 46% odds of U.S. military moves by year's end; supporters hope
for freedom, while critics fear escalation and humanitarian fallout.