President Donald Trump says the United States has begun opening lines of communication with Cuba, even as his administration ramps up economic pressure on the communist-run island by cutting off critical oil supplies.
Speaking to reporters Saturday night aboard Air Force One while traveling to Florida, Trump offered few specifics but suggested a new phase in US-Cuba relations. “We’re starting to talk to Cuba,” he said, without detailing when the outreach began or how advanced it is.
Oil Cuts Used as Leverage
The renewed engagement comes after a series of aggressive moves aimed at tightening the screws on Havana. In recent weeks, the Trump administration moved to halt oil supplies to Cuba from Venezuela and Mexico, steps Trump said would push Cuban leaders toward negotiations.
Cuba has been especially vulnerable since the US cut off Venezuelan oil shipments following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro earlier this year. Mexico then emerged as a key supplier, a role now under pressure from Washington.
Tariffs Raise Regional Tensions
Last week, Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on goods from any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba. The decision immediately put Mexico in the spotlight, drawing a sharp response from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who warned the move could spark a humanitarian crisis on the island. She said Mexico would explore alternative ways to continue supporting Cuba.
Trump dismissed those concerns, suggesting the pressure could instead open the door to diplomacy. “It doesn’t have to be a humanitarian crisis,” he said. “I think they probably would come to us and want to make a deal.”
Trump Predicts a Deal — and Change in Cuba
While the administration has not clearly outlined its goals, Trump has increasingly focused on Cuba as part of a broader push against governments he views as adversarial. He has repeatedly predicted that the Cuban government is close to collapse.
“So Cuba would be free again,” Trump said, expressing confidence that some form of agreement would be reached. “I think, you know, we’ll be kind.”
