President Donald Trump announced that "Cuba is next" following US operations against Venezuela and Iran while speaking at an investment forum in Florida.
After seemingly letting slip his ambitions against the Communist Caribbean regime, the US leader told the audience: “Pretend I didn’t say that!”
Mr Trump was outlining the philosophy behind Washington’s foreign military interventions at the Future Investment Initiative, a Saudi-backed investment summit in Miami held on Friday evening.
He celebrated the "peace through strength" doctrine, acknowledging that, whilst he had campaigned on the premise that military force would never be necessary.
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"Sometimes you have to use it. And Cuba is next, by the way," the US leader told attendees, prompting laughter in the room.
"But pretend I didn't say that. Please, media, please, please, disregard that statement. Thank you very much."
Despite his apparent attempt to retract the comment, the President immediately doubled down, reiterating to the audience: "Cuba's next."
This was not the first time Mr Trump has suggested that the US could take action against Havana.
Donald Trump has announced that 'Cuba is next' at an investment summit
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Earlier in March, he indicated Cuba might face a "friendly takeover," before adding ominously: "It may not be a friendly takeover."
The US leader has also suggested he would soon “have the honour of taking Cuba”.
It comes as the Communist Government in the Caribbean has struggled to cope amid American sanctions and the loss of a key ally in Venezuela.
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The US leader was outlining the US 'peace through strength' doctrine
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Venezuela had previously been Cuba's primary source of petroleum.
However, following the US-backed operation that removed Maduro from power in January, the new Venezuelan administration has halted these shipments under American pressure.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has acknowledged that his government is engaged in discussions with Washington to prevent a potential military confrontation.
The island nation's economy has deteriorated significantly, largely due to severe disruptions in oil supplies, which are essential for powering electricity generation and transport networks.
Venezuela is currently buckling under US pressure and the loss of Venezuela as a key ally
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The Trump administration has reportedly initiated negotiations with elements of Cuba's leadership in recent weeks as the Caribbean nation faces mounting economic pressures.
President Trump also used the Miami forum to criticise the apparent lack of support from Nato allies and their absence from negotiations with Iran, describing it as a "tremendous mistake."
"They just weren't there," he stated, before suggesting the alliance's inaction could reduce American obligations to the alliance.
"We would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don't have to be, do we?"
President Trump also took aim at Nato in the speech
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"That sounds like a breaking story? Yes, sir. Is that breaking news? I think we just have breaking news, but that's the fact.
“Why would we be there for them if they're not there for us? They weren't there for us."
The president additionally addressed tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies pass.
He urged Iran to "open up the Strait of Trump — I mean, Hormuz," before insisting to journalists: "No, there's no accidents with me."
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