Trump says the US is in talks with Cuba and suggests a possible friendly takeover

Trump said the United States is currently in talks with senior Cuban officials and that he believes a deal is close. He raised the possibility of what he called a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba, stating the country has 'no money, nothing' and is in 'big trouble.'

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States but ruled out talks on its constitutional system. The US has been stepping up aid to Cuba while also choking off its fuel supply, a situation Russia has called an 'asphyxiation tactic.'

Marco Rubio, a US senator, said Trump is holding talks and raised the prospect of a friendly takeover. Pope Francis has urged the US and Cuba to engage in sincere dialogue.