On Thursday, former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that the Cuban regime is urgently seeking an agreement with Washington. His remarks came during a gathering with Inter Miami players and executives, including Cuban-American entrepreneur Jorge Mas and soccer star Lionel Messi.
In the conversation, Trump congratulated club co-owners Jorge and José Mas, whose families fled from Cuba, hinting at potential changes regarding the island's current situation.
“We’ll celebrate that separately. I just wanted to wait a couple of weeks... but I think we’ll soon be celebrating what’s happening in Cuba,” the former president stated.
Trump mentioned that Cuban authorities are keen to negotiate with the United States, emphasizing, “They are desperately wanting to make a deal. They have no idea how much.”
Although Trump did not provide specifics about possible negotiations or concrete actions towards the island, his words imply that Washington's policy on Cuba might see new developments in the coming weeks.
Trump's comments follow his earlier statement that his administration aimed to transform the situation in Cuba so that many Cubans who emigrated could return to the island.
“What’s happening with Cuba is incredible… we want to fix that. It will just be a matter of time before many amazing people return to Cuba,” he mentioned recently.
He also suggested that a potential political shift on the island could pave the way for thousands of Cubans living abroad to return home.
The remarks were made in a relaxed setting during the Inter Miami reception at the White House, following the club's recent Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
During the event, players presented Trump with a club jersey featuring the number 47, symbolizing his position as the 47th president of the United States.
The meeting also marked the first direct interaction between Trump and Messi at the White House, serving as a backdrop for Trump's statements about Cuba’s political landscape, which he has frequently mentioned as a nation on the brink of significant changes.
Understanding the Potential U.S.-Cuba Relations Shift
What did Trump say about the Cuban regime's intentions?
Trump stated that the Cuban regime is desperately seeking to reach a deal with the United States.
Did Trump provide any details about potential negotiations with Cuba?
No, Trump did not offer specific details about possible negotiations or concrete measures regarding Cuba.
How did Trump envision the future for Cubans living abroad?
He suggested that a potential political change in Cuba could allow many Cubans living overseas to return to the island.