Trump confirms US in talks with Cuba, suggests deal possible amid embargo

2026-02-17 - 05:25

President Donald Trump confirmed Monday that the United States is engaged in active negotiations with Cuba, revealing that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading the talks. Speaking to reporters en route to Washington, Trump stated, "We're talking to Cuba right now," while describing the island nation as "a failed nation" and asserting that "they should absolutely make a deal." Embargo Pressure and Fuel Crisis Trump emphasized that negotiations occur against the backdrop of a reinforced US embargo: "In the meantime, there's an embargo, there's no oil, there's no money." Washington has intensified economic pressure on Havana, halting fuel supplies from Mexico and Venezuela—including through the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces. The administration has also threatened proportional import duties on any countries supplying fuel to Cuba. Military Option Not Ruled Out When asked whether he would consider a military operation similar to the Venezuela intervention, Trump declined to answer directly. "Why would I answer that? If I was, it wouldn't be a very tough operation, as you can figure, but I don't think that'll be necessary," he said. The US has long maintained its intention to overthrow Cuba's communist government, with the embargo serving as a primary tool of pressure.