Trump Suggests 'Friendly Takeover of Cuba' in Remarks to Reporters

President Trump told reporters outside the White House that the U.S. is in high-level talks with Cuba and raised the possibility of a 'friendly takeover of Cuba,' without providing specifics on what such a takeover would entail. Trump stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is managing discussions with Cuban leaders 'at a very high level,' and portrayed Havana as facing severe economic and supply challenges. The remarks came as Trump departed for Texas and followed a deadly confrontation off Cuba's coast earlier in the week. The suggestion of taking over a sovereign nation, even if described as 'friendly,' represents an extraordinary statement about U.S. foreign policy intentions toward Cuba and a departure from normal diplomatic language regarding sovereign nations.

"Maybe we'll have a friendly takeover of Cuba. The Cuban government is talking with us. They're in a big deal of trouble." — Statement made to reporters outside the White House while departing for Texas, days after a deadly confrontation off Cuba's coast