(US, 2nd) U.S. President Trump has revealed that the United States is negotiating with Cuba's 'top leadership' in an effort to reach an agreement. Several days ago, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, effectively imposing a de facto oil blockade on Cuba's already precarious economy.
According to AFP, on Sunday (February 1), Trump told the media at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida: 'Cuba is a declining country. It has been in decline for a long time, but now it has lost support from Venezuela. So we are in talks with Cuba's top leadership, to see what the situation is.'
He said: 'I think we will reach an agreement with Cuba.'
Trump did not disclose what the agreement might include.
Venezuela used to be a close ally of Cuba and was an important oil supplier to the island. Since January 3, when U.S. forces raided Venezuela and arrested Venezuelan President Maduro, bringing him to the United States, the Trump administration has been increasing pressure on communist-ruled Cuba, just south of Florida.
On January 29, Trump signed an executive order threatening to impose tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba. On the 30th, long lines of cars appeared outside gas stations in Havana.
Trump and Cuban-American Secretary of State Rubio have made no secret of their desire to see regime change in Cuba. Rubio's parents fled Cuba in the 1950s and immigrated to the United States.
After Maduro was apprehended by U.S. forces and brought to the United States, Trump warned Cuba to 'reach an agreement as soon as possible' or face unspecified consequences.
He said: 'I think we will reach an agreement with Cuba.'
Trump did not disclose what the agreement might include.
Venezuela used to be a close ally of Cuba and was an important oil supplier to the island. Since January 3, when U.S. forces raided Venezuela and arrested Venezuelan President Maduro, bringing him to the United States, the Trump administration has been increasing pressure on communist-ruled Cuba, just south of Florida.
On January 29, Trump signed an executive order threatening to impose tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba. On the 30th, long lines of cars appeared outside gas stations in Havana.
Trump and Cuban-American Secretary of State Rubio have made no secret of their desire to see regime change in Cuba. Rubio's parents fled Cuba in the 1950s and immigrated to the United States.
After Maduro was apprehended by U.S. forces and brought to the United States, Trump warned Cuba to 'reach an agreement as soon as possible' or face unspecified consequences.