Trump has said the United States is in talks with Cuba’s leadership about a possible deal, even as his administration steps up economic pressure on the island by threatening an oil blockade and additional tariffs.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington was in talks with Cuba’s ‘highest people’ to reach a deal, just days after he threatened the island’s struggling economy with what he described as a virtual oil blockade.
Trump’s second administration has stepped up pressure on the communist-run nation following the January 3 ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, whose government had been a close ally of Havana and a key source of oil supplies for Cuba.
Trump signals possible deal
“Cuba is a failing nation. It has been for a long time, but now it doesn’t have Venezuela to prop it up,” Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
He said the US was engaging with Cuba’s top leadership but offered no details on what a deal might involve. “So we’re talking to the people from Cuba, the highest people in Cuba, to see what happens. I think we’re going to make a deal with Cuba,” he said.
Havana responds cautiously
Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not confirm Trump’s remarks in a statement issued on Sunday. However, it reiterated that the island nation does not pose a threat to US security.
The ministry said Cuba does not host any foreign military or intelligence bases and added that it remains willing to maintain a “respectful and reciprocal dialogue” with Washington.
Oil pressure and economic impact
On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order threatening to impose additional tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba. A day later, long queues were reported at petrol stations across Havana, highlighting fuel shortages on the island.
Diplomatic tensions on the ground
US chief of mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, said he was shouted at by some residents during a visit to Trinidad province in central Cuba over the weekend. In a video posted on X, Hammer said those involved were linked to a political party and did not represent ordinary Cubans.
The US State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs later accused the Cuban government of attempting to interfere with US diplomatic work. It said US diplomats would continue engaging with the Cuban people despite what it described as intimidation.
Push for regime change
Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose family fled Cuba, have made no secret of their desire for regime change in Havana. After Maduro’s fall, Trump warned Cuba to “make a deal soon” or face consequences.
Earlier, Trump had declared, “No more oil or money for Cuba,” claiming the country was close to collapse.
Mexico signals humanitarian support
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Sunday that her government plans to send humanitarian aid to Cuba, including food and other supplies, while working on a diplomatic solution to continue oil shipments despite the threatened US tariffs.
She added that the issue of oil supplies to Cuba was not discussed during her recent phone call with Trump.
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