So here's a thing you don't hear every day. In the wake of a deepening economic crisis in Cuba, President Donald Trump has suggested the possibility of "taking Cuba, in some form."
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump indicated that he could "do anything" with Cuba, considering its current "weakened" state. "That'd be good. That's a big honor," said Trump.
The president confirmed ongoing discussions with Cuba but refrained from sharing any specifics. Washington has been escalating pressure on the island nation, as indicated by Trump's previous suggestion of a "friendly takeover."
Meanwhile, Cuba faces a severe energy crisis, with daily blackouts and a total grid failure. The nation's energy supply has been severely restricted after the U.S. captured former Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, who supplied oil to the island, and pressured Mexico, its last remaining oil supplier, to stop exports.
Trump previously labeled Cuba a "failed nation" amid the oil blockade, which has disrupted daily life and raised concerns. The President emphasized the urgent need for talks with Cuba, calling it a "humanitarian priority."
On Friday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that the countries were considering "negotiated solutions" to the U.S. energy blockade. Díaz-Canel said talks with the U.S. aim to resolve bilateral differences through dialogue, address the country's energy crisis, and respect each nation's political system and sovereignty.
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported on Monday that the Trump administration is seeking to remove Miguel Díaz-Canel while leaving the Communist government intact. The U.S. has indicated the president must go but is allowing Cubans to decide the next steps, and it is not targeting Castro family members, who still hold major power.
