On Monday, President Donald Trump described Cuba as facing a "humanitarian threat" and suggested that the island's government should consider striking a deal with the United States amidst the severe energy crisis it is currently experiencing.
Speaking with journalists aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Trump confirmed that discussions with Havana are ongoing.
"Cuba is essentially a failed state right now; they don't even have fuel for planes to take off," the president remarked.
He further stated, "They absolutely should make a deal because it is a humanitarian threat."
Trump highlighted that reaching an agreement would be beneficial for the Cuban-American community and those who, he claimed, were "very poorly treated by Castro and the Cuban authorities."
The president also pointed out that the embargo remains in place, emphasizing that the island faces restrictions on accessing oil and financial resources.
When asked whether he would consider a similar operation to the one in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, Trump declined to provide specifics.
"I don't want to answer that. If I did, it wouldn't be a very difficult operation, but I don't think it's necessary," he stated.
These comments come amidst widespread power outages in Cuba, a shortage of fuel, and emergency measures taken by the Cuban government, while Washington maintains economic pressure, conditioning any relief on political changes.
Trump reiterated that the ongoing situation is the result of a failed system and suggested that an agreement could usher in a new era of bilateral relations, although he didn't elaborate on the specifics of such a potential deal.
Understanding U.S.-Cuba Relations Under Pressure
Why does Trump consider Cuba a humanitarian threat?
Trump views Cuba as a humanitarian threat due to its current energy crisis, lack of fuel, and the broader implications of its economic and political instability.
What are the potential benefits of a U.S.-Cuba agreement?
A potential agreement could aid the Cuban-American community and improve conditions for those who have suffered under the current Cuban regime, as suggested by Trump.
What is the status of the U.S. embargo on Cuba?
The embargo is still in effect, limiting Cuba's ability to access oil and financial resources, contributing to its current crisis.