United States President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States could pursue what he described as a “friendly takeover” of Cuba.
Speaking to reporters on February 27 before departing the White House for Texas, the president stated that Washington is already in discussions with Cuba’s government, which he described as facing a deep economic crisis.
Trump noted that Cuban authorities are engaged in talks with Washington and suggested a significant shift in relations could occur after decades of tension.
“The Cuban government is talking with us. They’re in a big deal of trouble, as you know. They have no money; they have nothing right now. But they’re talking with us,” he said.
Trump says U.S. could carry out ‘friendly takeover’
The president stated that the discussions could result in a significant change. He described the situation as potentially beneficial for both Cubans on the island and Cuban-Americans in the United States.
“They’re talking with us, and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba. We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba. After many, many years, we’ve had a lot of years of dealing with Cuba. I’ve been hearing about Cuba since I was a little boy. But they’re in big trouble.”
The president suggested that any future agreement could benefit Cuban expatriates now living in the United States.
“You know, we have people living here who want to go back to Cuba. And they’re very happy with what’s going on,” Trump added.
His remarks follow major developments in the Caribbean, including the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro last month.
Washington deposed Maduro on January 3 following a U.S. Delta Force operation in Caracas that led to his capture alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, and removal from power.
Also Read: Trump Presses Nation to Ditch Chinese Telecom Systems
They were transported to New York City to face federal charges and are currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Trump’s remarks also come at a time when relations between the United States and Cuba remain tense, as Washington intensifies pressure on Havana amid shifting geopolitical dynamics across the Western Hemisphere.
Cuba strikes Florida-registered speedboat
Earlier this week, tensions escalated further after a confrontation that saw four people aboard a Florida-registered speedboat killed by Cuban authorities in Caribbean waters.
U.S. officials on Thursday confirmed at least two Americans were among the casualties in the deadly shootout with Cuban forces.
One man was killed, and another is receiving medical attention in Havana after the speedboat was intercepted about one nautical mile off the island’s north coast in what Cuba described as an attempted terrorist infiltration.
“Right from the start, Cuban authorities have been in communication with their US counterparts, including the State Department and the Coast Guard, about this terrorist attempt. U.S. government authorities have expressed their willingness to cooperate in clarifying these regrettable events,” Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said.
Cuban authorities alleged the speedboat was carrying 10-armed individuals believed to be Cuban exiles living in the United States, who opened fire first and wounded a patrol commander before security forces returned fire, killing four and wounding six.
Media reports on the Caribbean island said authorities seized assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosive devices, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms.
While Cuba identified the group as armed exiles with criminal histories, Washington stated it is working to verify those claims independently.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters in Saint Kitts and Nevis this week, insisted the United States government had no involvement in the confrontation.
“The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently, and we’ll as we gather more information then we’ll be prepared to respond accordingly.”
Also Read: Retaliatory Strike? US Warns It Will Respond After Cuba Kills 4 on Boat
The U.S. Embassy in Havana is now seeking direct access to the survivors. The remaining detainees are in the custody of Cuba’s Interior Ministry.
United States increases pressure
The shooting took place amid heightened tensions between the two countries as President Trump’s administration tightened the U.S. embargo on Cuba.
Rubio, a Cuban-American who has long criticized Cuba’s government, attended a summit of Caribbean leaders in Saint Kitts and Nevis this week, where the situation in Cuba was expected to feature prominently in discussions.
During the summit, Rubio stated that Cuba’s economic problems stem from what he described as a failed economic system.
“The reason why things are as bad as they are is because they have an economic model that does not exist, that does not work,” the Secretary said.
Rubio also referenced earlier U.S. policies that supported Cuba’s private sector and independent entrepreneurs as part of a strategy to reduce state control over the economy.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
