ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE
President Donald Trump said the U.S. was beginning to talk with Cuban leaders even as his administration moves to cut off the island’s key oil supplies, applying greater pressure on the communist-run government.
The Republican president made the comment to reporters on Saturday night as he was flying to Florida. It follows his moves in recent weeks to halt oil supplies from Venezuela and to pressure Mexico, which he suggested Saturday would force Cuba to the negotiating table.
“We’re starting to talk to Cuba,” Trump said, though he did not offer any details about the level or timing of recent outreach. His recent moves to cut off oil supplies have significantly squeezed the island.
This past week, Trump signed an executive order imposing a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba.
The move directly pressures Mexico, which Cuba became dependent on for oil after Trump halted shipments from Venezuela following the ouster of its then-President Nicolás Maduro in early January.
His goals with Cuba remain unclear, but Trump has turned more attention toward the island since his administration captured Maduro and has taken a more aggressive posture toward U.S. adversaries.
Trump has predicted that the Cuban government is ready to fall.
By James Kisoo
