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Trump Threatens Cuba, Cuban Leader Warns Bloodbath; GOP Cautions

5/19/2026

30 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to carry out military strikes against Cuba.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned that any U.S. attack would trigger a bloodbath in Cuba.
Senate Republican leaders told Trump that attacks on Cuba would be unwise while the war in Iran continues.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he wants the Cuban socialist government to collapse through organic processes.

History

Historical Context

In July 1962 Soviet leaders and Fidel Castro agreed to install R-12 and R-14 missiles in Cuba, fearing a U.S. invasion after the 1961 Bay of Pigs. U-2 photos in October prompted Kennedy to order a naval quarantine on 22 October 1962. The 28-October deal removed the missiles and secretly exchanged 162 Soviet warheads for U.S. Jupiter rockets in Turkey, creating a hotline that still guides crisis handling.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to carry out military strikes against Cuba.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned that any U.S. attack would trigger a bloodbath in Cuba.
Senate Republican leaders told Trump that attacks on Cuba would be unwise while the war in Iran continues.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he wants the Cuban socialist government to collapse through organic processes.

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