Published on: Sat, 07 Mar 2026 19:04:47 GMTOriginal Story: ‘They’re cancer’: Trump threatens cartels, Cuba at Latin American summit – Al Jazeera “`html Trump’s Newest Enemies List: Cartels, Cuba, and…Well, Everyone? Alright, buckle up buttercups. Looks like someone’s dusted off the ol’ playbook and decided it’s time for another round of “Trump Declares War On Things.” This time, at a Latin American summit (because where ELSE would this happen?), the former (and potentially future, *shudders*) president decided to label drug cartels as “cancer” and generally ramp up the rhetoric against Cuba. Yes, CUBA. Like it’s 1962 all over again. Now, I’m not about to sit here and defend drug cartels. They’re objectively bad news. But Trump’s newfound fervor for battling them rings a little hollow, doesn’t it? Especially considering his…let’s call it “complex”…history with foreign policy. It’s almost as if there’s an election coming up. What year is it again? A Quick Trip Down Memory Lane (and a Reality Check) Remember back in, oh, let’s say 2016? Trump was all about “draining the swamp” and focusing on domestic issues. He even hinted at a more isolationist foreign policy. He questioned the value of NATO, for crying out loud! Now suddenly, he’s ready to single-handedly obliterate cartels and…what, liberate Cuba? Did someone slip a Geritol into his Diet Coke? The hypocrisy is thicker than a MAGA crowd at a January 6th reunion. It’s not even subtle anymore. It’s like watching a toddler play dress-up with a suit three sizes too big, yelling about how he’s going to run a Fortune 500 company. Cute, if it wasn’t terrifying. “They’re Cancer”: A Medical Diagnosis from Dr. Trump? The “cancer” analogy is particularly…interesting. Is Trump now a qualified oncologist in addition to being a real estate mogul, reality TV star, and foreign policy expert? Because last I checked, declaring something “cancer” doesn’t magically eradicate it. It requires, you know, actual strategy, resources, and a willingness to work with (gasp!) other countries. Which, historically, hasn’t been Trump’s strong suit. And let’s not forget the, shall we say, colorful history of US intervention in Latin America. From the Bay of Pigs to the Iran-Contra affair, our track record isn’t exactly spotless. So, forgive me if I’m a little skeptical about Trump’s sudden desire to “save” the region from…itself? Cuba: The Undying Boogeyman Ah, Cuba. The perennial punching bag of American politics. For decades, politicians have used Cuba as a convenient scapegoat, a symbol of everything that’s supposedly wrong with the world. Trump’s no different. He’s resurrected the Cold War rhetoric, presumably to appeal to a certain demographic of voters who still think Fidel Castro is hiding under their beds. Newsflash: the Cold War ended, like, thirty years ago. And while Cuba certainly has its problems, turning it into the ultimate villain is not only simplistic but also ignores the complex realities on the ground. But hey, nuance never won anyone an election, right? What Does This All Mean? (Besides a Headache for Me) Honestly? It means we’re in for another round of bombastic pronouncements, empty promises, and foreign policy blunders. It means Trump is pandering to his base, trying to gin up support by demonizing convenient targets. It means we should all prepare for a lot of yelling and very little actual progress. It also means that the world is probably rolling its eyes at us. Again. Because nothing says “American leadership” like a geriatric reality TV star threatening to invade Cuba. Sigh. Snarky Takeaway So, the next time you hear Trump railing against cartels or Cuba, remember that 2016 election cycle. Remember the “America First” mantra. Remember the promises to stay out of foreign entanglements. And then ask yourself: is this about actually solving problems, or just about winning votes? My money’s on the latter. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a drink. Preferably something strong. And maybe a time machine. “` Post navigation Trump’s New “Shield”: Deja Vu All Over Again? Trump: Now the Good Neighbor with Missiles?