On Friday, President Donald Trump revealed to reporters that he is exploring the possibility of a 'friendly' takeover of Cuba, suggesting that the Cuban government is in a precarious position due to economic hardships and a lack of resources. This announcement comes as the U.S. continues to apply pressure on the Cuban regime to make concessions during an ongoing economic crisis in the country. Trump's comments were made while he was traveling to Texas and reflect a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Cuba amid negotiations that have been described as essential to resolving ongoing tensions.

Trump emphasized that the Cuban government is negotiating with the U.S. and appears to be in dire financial straits, stating that they 'have no money, nothing.' This sentiment echoes the recent remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio who called for a 'radical change' in Cuba's political landscape. The context of these comments includes a recent U.S. decision to ease restrictions on oil exports to Cuba, which have greatly impacted the country's energy sector and contributed to widespread economic distress.

Cuba is currently dealing with severe energy shortages and recurrent electricity outages, exacerbated by the intensified oil embargo imposed by Trump’s administration. By suggesting a non-violent approach to bring about change in Cuba, Trump is drawing a contrast to his actions in Venezuela where he had previously supported a more aggressive path to regime change. This approach raises questions about U.S. foreign policy strategies in Latin America and the potential implications for U.S.-Cuba relations should such tactics be further pursued.