U.S. President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of a ‘friendly takeover’ of Cuba, suggesting the island nation is in ‘big trouble’ and open to U.S. engagement, according to remarks made at the White House. Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio is handling the matter at a ‘very high level’ and described Cuba as a failing state in need of change.

Trump’s remarks on Cuba’s economic crisis

Speaking to reporters as he left the White House for a trip to Texas, Trump said the Cuban government is ‘in a big deal of trouble’ and ‘has no money, no oil, no food.’ He added that the country is ‘a nation in deep trouble’ and ‘wanting our help.’ Trump suggested that a ‘friendly takeover’ could be a positive development for Cubans who wish to return home.

‘I can see that happening,’ Trump said. ‘Marco Rubio is dealing on it and at a very high level.’ He also mentioned that he has been aware of Cuba’s struggles since childhood, indicating a long-standing view on the island’s challenges.

Cuba denies high-level talks

The Cuban government has denied being in any high-level talks with the United States. However, it has not outright rejected reports that U.S. officials may be engaging in informal discussions with Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, the grandson of former Cuban President Raul Castro.

According to Axios, Rubio has been holding secret talks with the grandson of Cuba’s former leader. U.S. officials close to Rubio met with Rodriguez Castro again on the sidelines of this week’s regional Caribbean Community conference in St. Kitts and Nevis, as reported by the Miami Herald on Thursday.

Tensions escalate after incident in Cuban waters

Tensions between the U.S. and Cuba have escalated following an incident in which Cuban forces killed four exiles and wounded six others who sailed into Cuban waters aboard a Florida-registered speedboat and opened fire on a Cuban patrol. Rubio denied it was a U.S. operation and said no U.S. government personnel were involved.

The incident occurred as the United States has blocked virtually all oil shipments to the island, increasing pressure on the Communist government. Last month, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, removing a key Cuban ally from power.

Rubio has been a vocal critic of the Cuban government, calling the current status quo unsustainable and stating that Cuba needs to change ‘dramatically.’

Cuban exiles’ long-held aspirations

Cuban exiles, largely concentrated in Miami, have long dreamed of overthrowing the Cuban government or seeing it fall, echoing past plots against the government established by the late major leader Fidel Castro. Trump mentioned the large Cuban community, suggesting a U.S. takeover could be ‘something good … very positive’ for people expelled from the country.

‘We have people living here that want to go back to Cuba, and they’re very happy with what’s going on,’ Trump said, highlighting the potential benefits for those seeking to return to their homeland.

The Cuban government has remained silent on the specific nature of the U.S. engagement, but the implications of these remarks could be significant. With U.S. influence in the region on the rise and internal pressures mounting on the Cuban leadership, the situation could evolve rapidly in the coming months.