US President Donald Trump said today that he believes he could shift his attention to Cuba once the war with Iran is resolved, while Washington maintains ongoing contacts with Havana.
“Cuba is a collapsing nation. We will carry out this initiative, and it is possible that we will make a stop in Cuba once we have finished this,” Trump said during an event at the White House, referring to the conflict with Iran.
The Republican leader made the remarks when asked about Washington’s recent decision to allow some oil tankers to reach the island, which relies on around 60,000 barrels of imported crude per day to meet its energy needs.
In January, the United States imposed an oil blockade on Cuba following the capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.
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The Trump administration later said it would review oil shipments “on a case-by-case basis,” after allowing the Russian vessel Anatoly Kolodkin to deliver 100,000 tonnes of crude to the island.
“It has been a very oppressive regime, as you know,” Trump said, referring to Cuba.
He also highlighted support from Cuban-Americans, claiming many had suffered persecution, including violence and killings of family members.
Since introducing the oil embargo, Trump has repeatedly suggested that the government of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel is close to collapse and has even floated the idea of a “friendly takeover” of the country.
Last week, Díaz-Canel rejected pressure from Washington to step down, stating in an interview that resignation “is not part of our vocabulary.”
“In Cuba, those who hold leadership positions are not elected by the United States,” he said, stressing the country’s sovereignty and independence.
