WASHINGTON/HAVANA: US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Washington is in talks with Cuba leadership to “make a deal,” even as his administration ramps up pressure on the island’s struggling economy by targeting its oil supplies.
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Speaking to reporters at his Mar‑a‑Lago estate in Florida, Trump said the United States had begun negotiating with “the highest people in Cuba” and expressed optimism that a deal could be reached, though he did not offer details on its content or scope. The remarks follow recent US actions aimed at cutting off oil imports to Cuba, a key lifeline for its economy.
The US has threatened tariffs on any country that sells oil to Cuba under a national emergency declaration signed last week, and has pushed partners such as Mexico to reconsider shipments amid concerns over reprisals. Cuba previously relied heavily on Venezuelan oil until US forces ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January.
Trump framed the outreach as a way to avoid a humanitarian crisis, saying “It doesn’t have to be a humanitarian crisis. They could come to us and we would make a deal,” suggesting his pressure campaign could lead to negotiations if Havana agrees to US terms.
The Biden administration’s envoy in Havana has faced public opposition from some Cuban residents, and the US State Department has accused the Cuban government of interfering with diplomatic activity. The White House has described current Cuban leadership as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security.
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Cuba’s government has vehemently rejected US moves to strangle its economy, with leaders calling such measures attempts to “suffocate” the island and accusing Washington of coercion. Observers warn that severe fuel shortages, including prolonged power cuts and long gas queues, have intensified the humanitarian situation.
The evolving dynamic reflects a blend of heightened economic pressure and nascent diplomatic outreach as both sides navigate a volatile standoff with regional implications and potential humanitarian repercussions.