President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States has begun engaging with Cuban leaders, even as his administration ramps up pressure on the island through restrictions on key oil supplies. Speaking to reporters Saturday night while flying to Florida, Trump offered few details but said, “We’re starting to talk to Cuba.”
Economic Leverage Through Oil Cuts
Trump indicated that recent moves to block oil shipments from Venezuela and Mexico are intended to push Cuba toward negotiations. The island has grown reliant on Mexican oil after the US cut off Venezuelan shipments following the removal of Nicolás Maduro.
This week, Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on goods from any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba, further tightening the squeeze. He suggested these measures would help bring Havana to the negotiating table.
Regional Concerns Over Humanitarian Impact
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed concern that the US measures could trigger a humanitarian crisis, saying her government would seek alternatives to continue assisting Cuba. Trump dismissed the warnings, saying, “It doesn’t have to be a humanitarian crisis. I think they probably would come to us and want to make a deal.”
Trump Predicts a Deal and a “Free Cuba”
While the administration’s ultimate goals remain unclear, Trump has predicted that the Cuban government is near collapse. He expressed confidence that negotiations would produce some form of agreement, adding, “So Cuba would be free again,” and emphasizing that the US would “be kind” in any deal reached.
