Tensions between Washington and Havana are rising sharply. After the oil embargo, Trump says Cuba has run out of money and is considering a friendly takeover.
US President Donald Trump proposed a “friendly takeover” of Cuba on Friday as tensions rise between Washington and Havana. TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
- Trump proposed a friendly takeover of Cuba.
- The US imposed an oil embargo and a crisis hit Cuba.
- Relations have been soured by Trump’s second term and symbols of power.
- There was a firefight between the American ship and the Cuban guard.
- In investigating the incident, the US promised to respond appropriately.
The Trump administration imposed an oil embargo on Cuba after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a supporter of Havana. This brought the island nation to the brink of economic collapse. “They don’t have the finances, they don’t really have anything right now. But they are negotiating with us and there could be a friendly takeover of Cuba,” Trump told reporters on Friday as he left the White House. “The Cuban government is communicating with us and they are having really big problems,” he said.
Relations worsened with the arrival of Trump
The U.S. imposed a trade embargo on Cuba shortly after Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution. Relations have improved in recent years, but have soured again since Trump’s second term as the White House chief seeks to strengthen Washington’s influence in Latin America.
On Wednesday, there was a shootout between the crew of the motor boat, which was registered in the United States, and the Cuban coast guard. Four people in the boat were killed and six guards were injured. Molotov cocktails, assault rifles, handguns and other military equipment were found on the American vessel. According to the Home Office, the intruders were “attempting to infiltrate the country to carry out an act of terrorism”.
Havana says the boat was carrying ten Cubans living in the US. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was not involved in the attack and would provide an “adequate response” after investigating the incident.
