Donald Trump appeared to hint at another potential flashpoint during remarks delivered at a forum in Miami.
Public opinion in the US has been divided over the ongoing fighting involving the US, Israel and Iran.
After a February 28 strike carried out by Israel and the US, Iran’s Supreme leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, was reported killed.
Trump has repeatedly portrayed the operation as a win for the US, claiming the country is “ahead of schedule” on its goals related to the conflict.
Even so, critics have questioned why the US entered the war at all, particularly given Trump’s long-running insistence that he is a “President of Peace” who would avoid unnecessary foreign entanglements.
During his Miami appearance, the former president seemed to suggest where the US could turn its attention next—after Iran and Venezuela, both of which have seen multiple missile strikes.
Addressing the crowd, Trump said Cuba could be a future target within what he described as his “peace through strength” approach to foreign policy, before appearing to try to walk the remark back.
He said: “I campaigned on the fact, peace through strength, I said “you’ll never have to use it” but sometimes you have to use it.”
While also referencing what he described as his success in capturing Venezuelan President Nicola Maduro in January, Trump then added, ‘and Cuba’s next, by the way’, prompting laughter from the audience.
Moments later, he framed the comment as something he did not want repeated publicly, saying: “Pretend I didn’t say that, please. Please, media, please, please, disregard that statement. Thank you very much.”
It’s also not the first time in recent weeks that Trump has spoken about Cuba in aggressive terms.
Earlier this month at the White House, Trump said he would have the ‘honor of taking Cuba’ after a US-imposed oil blockade reportedly left the island nation without power.
Discussing the state of talks with Havana, he suggested the US had overwhelming leverage and claimed he could act however he chose.
Speaking to reporters on March 16, he said: “You know, all my life I’ve been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it?
“I do believe I’ll be … having the honor of taking Cuba.
“Whether I free it, take it – think I could do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth. They’re a very weakened nation right now.”