Donald Trump floated the idea of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba as the island faces severe economic strain, saying US officials are in discussions with Cuban authorities amid the country’s worsening financial crisis.
US President Donald Trump on Friday floated the idea of what he described as a possible “friendly takeover” of Cuba, comments that come as the island nation faces severe economic strain.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said Cuban authorities were in discussions with Washington and pointed to the country’s worsening financial condition. “They have no money, they have no anything right now. But they’re talking with us and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba,” Trump told reporters.
Cuba, governed by a communist leadership since the 1959 revolution has long had fraught relations with the United States. Decades of sanctions, diplomatic standoffs and brief periods of engagement have defined ties between the two countries. The Trump administration previously tightened US sanctions on Havana, reversing elements of rapprochement initiated under earlier policies.
In recent years, Cuba has grappled with rising inflation, shortages of essential goods, rolling blackouts and increased outward migration, deepening social and economic pressures on the government. Havana has consistently blamed US sanctions for much of its hardship while US officials have cited governance and economic management as central factors in the crisis.
Trump did not provide details on what he meant by a “friendly takeover,” and there has been no formal indication of negotiations regarding sovereignty or political restructuring. Cuban officials have not immediately commented on the remarks.
The comments are likely to draw strong reactions given the long history of US-Cuba tensions and the sensitivity surrounding issues of national sovereignty in Havana.
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