WASHINGTON: Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States would hold talks with Cuba, as the island nation faces a severe fuel crisis following increased US pressure and the collapse of support from its longtime ally, Venezuela.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Cuba as “a failed country” and wrote: “Cuba is asking for help, and we are going to talk!!!” He did not provide further details about the planned discussions.
The announcement comes amid growing speculation in Washington that the Trump administration is seeking major political change in Cuba as part of a broader push to expand US influence across the Caribbean and Latin America. Recent rhetoric from Trump and senior officials has fuelled concerns about possible escalation against Havana.
Earlier this month, Trump said the United States would be “taking over” Cuba “almost immediately”, and has repeatedly suggested that Cuba could become Washington’s next major focus after the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Relations between Washington and Havana have remained tense since the 1960s, with decades of sanctions, political hostility and diplomatic standoffs. The state of Florida, located only around 145 kilometres from Cuba, is home to a large and politically influential Cuban exile community.
Venezuela had long served as a major economic and energy lifeline for Cuba. However, disruptions to Venezuelan fuel supplies intensified by US sanctions and pressure campaigns have deepened Cuba’s economic crisis and contributed to widespread power outages across the island.
On May 1, the Trump administration imposed additional sanctions targeting key sectors of the Cuban economy, including military-linked business networks and mining operations.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla condemned the measures, calling them “collective punishment” and “unilateral coercive measures”.
