President Donald Trump of the United States expressed his willingness to negotiate an agreement with Cuba's regime if the nation begins a political transition and discards its communist system.
"There's no need for a humanitarian crisis. They could approach us, and we'd make a deal. That way, Cuba could be free once more," the president stated.
In his remarks on Saturday night, Trump confirmed that he personally requested Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to halt oil shipments to Cuba, a request she honored.
"I told her we didn't want oil sent there, and she complied," Trump affirmed.
His comments came shortly after signing an Executive Order declaring a national emergency due to the Cuban regime's connections with Russia, China, Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
The order enforces sanctions and tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island.
Trump emphasized that any future negotiations with Cuba would be conducted "from a position of strength" with clear demands: respect for human rights, release of political prisoners, and an end to military control over the economy.
"We'll be kind, but the situation there is really bad," he remarked.
The Mexican president justified stopping oil shipments to Cuba, citing the potential for a "humanitarian crisis," but Trump countered that "there's no reason for that if the regime agrees to political change."
From Havana, Miguel Díaz-Canel accused Washington of imposing an "energy blockade" to suffocate the nation.
"They have decided to deprive the Cuban people of the necessary fuel to sustain their economy and daily life," he declared, insisting that the regime "will not surrender" to the sanctions.
Tensions between the two countries have escalated following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in Nicolás Maduro's capture.
Trump reiterated that his administration's goal is to "free the Cuban people from communist control," asserting that Cuba is "in a terrible situation, lacking both money and oil."
The U.S. president maintained that his government is open to dialogue, but only if Havana's regime agrees to "change the rules" and abandon the system imposed since 1959.
Key Insights on U.S.-Cuba Relations
What conditions has Trump set for negotiating with Cuba?
Trump has outlined that any negotiations with Cuba must come from a position of strength, with demands including respect for human rights, the release of political prisoners, and an end to military control over the economy.
Why did Trump request Mexico to stop oil shipments to Cuba?
Trump requested the halt of oil shipments to pressure the Cuban regime into political reforms, reducing its ability to sustain its current economic and political system.
How has Cuba's leadership responded to U.S. sanctions?
Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel accused the U.S. of imposing an "energy blockade" and insisted that the regime will not yield to the sanctions, despite the economic challenges they pose.
What is the impact of the U.S. Executive Order on Cuba?
The Executive Order aims to increase pressure on Cuba by enforcing sanctions and tariffs on countries that supply oil to the island, thereby attempting to weaken the regime's economic stability.