They have no money, no oil, no food”: Trump gloats about ‘friendly takeover’ of Cuba

President Donald Trump on Friday suggested the possibility of a “friendly takeover of Cuba” , saying the U.S. is in talks with Havana , though he offered no specifics on what such a transition might entail. Speaking outside the White House before departing for Texas, Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio was engaged in “high-level” discussions with Cuban officials. “The Cuban government is talking with us. They have no money, no oil, no food,” he said, adding that outcomes could be “very positive for the people that were expelled, or worse, from Cuba and live here.”

The Cuban government denied formal negotiations but has not rejected informal contacts. Tensions escalated earlier this week in a deadly maritime incident in which a Florida-registered speedboat carrying armed Cubans fired on Cuban border patrols near Villa Clara Province. Four attackers were killed, six injured, and weapons seized. U.S. authorities said the operation was not authorized by Washington and are investigating.

Cuba faces a severe economic and energy crisis , worsened by the U.S. blockade and the halt of Venezuelan oil shipments following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro in January. Fuel shortages have caused rolling blackouts, transport challenges, and food scarcity. The U.S. Treasury allowed resale of Venezuelan oil to Cuba’s private sector , excluding government and military buyers. Mexico has sent two large humanitarian aid shipments of food and essentials, while Caribbean leaders, including CARICOM, are urging de-escalation and dialogue.

Residents are adapting by using bicycles, repairing old vehicles, and turning to solar power. Humanitarian groups, including over 40 U.S. organizations, have warned Congress that U.S. sanctions risk mass hardship and violate international humanitarian law. Cuban officials maintain that the embargo remains fully in force, calling for respect for sovereignty.