President Donald Trump joked Saturday that he does not plan to learn other languages as he addressed leaders from across Latin America during the Shield of the Americas summit, which was held at Trump’s Doral Golf Club outside Miami.
According to the State Department, the event was organized to coordinate regional efforts to stop foreign interference in the Western Hemisphere.
Officials said the summit focused on strategies to combat criminal organizations, narco terrorist gangs and cartels, along with illegal and mass migration.
During his remarks, Trump praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is of Cuban descent, and joked about Rubio’s ability to communicate with leaders in their native language.
Trump told the leaders that Rubio often travels throughout the region and enjoys visiting their countries.
“Marco loves going to your countries,” Trump said. “He’s always at one of these countries. He likes your countries the best, you know?”
Trump then joked about how Rubio frequently reports back about his travels. “Where are you?” Trump said, mimicking a conversation.
President Trump to Latin American leaders: “I’m not learning your damn language. I don’t have time.”
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“I’m in Chile.”
“Oh, good, how’s Chile doing?”
“Good.”
Trump said Rubio has an advantage because he speaks Spanish fluently.
“He’s got a language, he’s got a language advantage over me,” Trump said before joking: “’Cause I’m not learning your damn language.”
Trump said he once felt comfortable learning languages, but no longer has time to do so.
“I don’t have time,” Trump said. “I was okay with languages, but I’m not going to spend time learning your language. That much I won’t do.”
He said he would instead rely on interpreters during international meetings.
“Just give me a good interpreter,” Trump said. “Interpreter, very important.”
When Rubio took the stage, he asked Trump if he could address the leaders briefly in Spanish.
“If I may, because some of these cameras cover in Spanish,” Rubio said.
“You all right —”
“Good, please,” Trump replied.
Rubio then joked that an interpreter would not be necessary for that moment.
“Oh, good,” Rubio said.
“We don’t need an interpreter for this one.”
After Rubio finished speaking, Trump introduced Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth joked about language as well while greeting the audience.
“I only speak American,” Hegseth said.
The event focused heavily on cooperation between the United States and regional partners on security issues.
Officials said the summit aimed to strengthen collaboration against transnational criminal networks and illegal migration flows affecting countries throughout the hemisphere.
Several major regional powers were not represented at the event.
Brazil and Mexico did not participate in the summit.
Colombia, which has long been a key partner in U.S. anti narcotics operations in Latin America, was also absent.
Cuba was likewise not represented.
Officials did not provide details about why those countries did not attend.
Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was also present at the event.
Trump announced that Noem will serve as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas initiative.
The role is expected to focus on coordinating regional security efforts tied to the summit’s objectives.
Trump declared Saturday that Cuba is “in its last moments of life” as he spoke to the Latin American leaders, The Huffington Post reported.
“As we achieve a historic transformation in Venezuela, we’re also looking forward to the great change that will soon be coming to Cuba,” Trump said.
Trump said the communist-run island nation is “very much at the end of the line.”
He said the country has “no money,” “no oil,” “a bad philosophy,” and a “bad regime.”
The president previously floated the idea of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba during remarks last month.
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