Washington, United States. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that a “friendly takeover” of Cuba was a possibility, adding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was dealing with the issue at a “very high level.” Cuba said it is not engaged in any high-level talks with the United States.
Trump comments and Rubio’s role
Speaking to reporters at the White House as he left for a trip to Texas, Trump said the Cuban government was “talking with us” and described Cuba as a failing nation in need of change. He said Cuba had “no money,” “no oil,” and “no food,” and added that the country was “in deep trouble” and wanted U.S. help.
Trump said he had been hearing about Cuba’s problems since he was a little boy and stated, “I can see that happening,” referring to a possible “friendly takeover.”
Cuba denies high-level talks as reports cite informal contacts
The Cuban government has said it is not in any high-level talks with the United States, but it has not outright denied press reports that U.S. officials may be in informal talks with Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, the grandson of former Cuban President Raul Castro.
Axios reported this month that Rubio had been holding secret talks with Rodriguez Castro. The Miami Herald reported on Thursday that U.S. officials close to Rubio met with him again on the sidelines of this week’s regional Caribbean Community conference in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Rising tensions after deadly incident in Cuban waters
Tensions increased after Cuban forces this week killed four exiles and wounded six others who sailed into Cuban waters aboard a Florida-registered speedboat and opened fire on a Cuban patrol. Rubio denied it was a U.S. operation and said no U.S. government personnel were involved.
U.S. pressure on Cuba and Rubio’s recent statements
The incident occurred as the United States has blocked virtually all oil shipments to the island, increasing pressure on the Communist government. Last month, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, removing a key Cuban ally from power.
Rubio has criticized the Cuban government in recent weeks, calling the status quo unsustainable and saying Cuba needed to change “dramatically.”
Miami exile community
Cuban exiles, largely concentrated in Miami, have long sought the overthrow or collapse of the Cuban government and have previously plotted against the government established by the late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.
What do you think Trump meant by a “friendly takeover” of Cuba?
