On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump told CNN that the Cuban regime is keen to negotiate with Washington. He asserted that Havana is "eager to reach an agreement."
During a phone interview with journalist Dana Bash, Trump made this statement while discussing what he described as the military successes of his administration. CNN reported that he brought up the subject of Cuba seemingly unprompted.
"Cuba will fall very soon, by the way, not related (to the topic at hand), but Cuba will fall too. They are eager to reach an agreement," Trump declared.
The president emphasized that the Cuban government is interested in some form of understanding with the United States and hinted that his administration might assign this matter to his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
"They want to make a deal, so I'm going to put Marco (Rubio) on it and see how it works out. We are very focused on this right now. We have plenty of time, but Cuba is ready after 50 years," he stated.
Trump also mentioned that he has been observing the political developments on the island for decades, suggesting that the current moment might be an opportunity for change.
"I've been watching it for 50 years, and it has landed in my hands because of me; it has landed, but still, it has landed in the hands. And we're doing very well," he added during the interview.
Trump's Focus on Cuba
The president's remarks came just a day after he brought up Cuba again during a White House address, indicating that the issue is significant to his administration.
This past Wednesday, Trump stated that it was only "a matter of time" before Cuban Americans could return to their homeland, which he interprets as a potential outcome of the political changes he envisions for the island.
"He's doing a job, and the next will be: we want to take care of that special Cuba," Trump said, referring to his Secretary of State.
"He's waiting. But he says, 'Let's finish this first.' We could do it all at once, but bad things happen," he added.
The president explained that his administration prefers to proceed step-by-step on its international agenda.
"If we look at countries over the years, we see that if we do everything too quickly, bad things happen. We are not going to let anything bad happen to this country," he affirmed.
The statements come amid intense tensions in U.S. foreign policy and during a profound economic and social crisis in Cuba, characterized by food shortages, prolonged power outages, and an unprecedented wave of migration.
During his first term, Trump adopted a hardline policy towards the Cuban regime, reversing much of the thaw initiated by the Barack Obama administration. His government imposed new economic sanctions, restricted travel and remittances, and reinstated Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Since then, bilateral relations have been marked by political confrontation, with Washington continuing to denounce human rights violations on the island, while the Cuban government accuses the United States of maintaining an economic pressure policy aimed at provoking a system change.
FAQs on U.S.-Cuba Relations
Why is the Cuban regime interested in negotiating with the U.S.?
The Cuban regime is reportedly eager to reach a deal with the U.S. due to the island's ongoing economic struggles and the potential for improved relations that could alleviate some of these challenges.
What actions did Trump's administration take against Cuba?
Trump's administration imposed new economic sanctions, restricted travel and remittances, and reinstated Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, reversing many of the policies from the Obama era.
How has the Cuban government responded to U.S. policies?
The Cuban government has accused the United States of maintaining an economic pressure policy intended to force a system change, while also denouncing political confrontations and human rights allegations.