The Japan Times - Trump says US talking deal with 'highest people' in Cuba

Trump's second administration has ratcheted up pressure on the communist-run island nation since the January 3 US ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, whose country was a close ally of Havana and a crucial source for oil exports to Cuba.

"Cuba is a failing nation. It has been for a long time, but now it doesn't have Venezuela to prop it up," Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

"So we're talking to the people from Cuba, the highest people in Cuba, to see what happens. I think we're going to make a deal with Cuba," he added, giving no indication what such a deal would look like.

Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not confirm the US president's remarks in a statement released on its website on Sunday, but took the opportunity to once again reject that the island is a "threat to the security of the United States."

It specifically asserted that Cuba does not "host any foreign military or intelligence bases", but added that it is willing to "maintain a respectful and reciprocal dialogue," with the United States.

On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order threatening to impose additional tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba.

The following day, Cubans were queueing in long lines at gas stations in Havana.

US chief of mission in Cuba Mike Hammer said that while visiting the Trinidad province in central Cuba over the weekend that he encountered residents who "shouted some insults" at him.

"I think they belong to a certain party, but I know they do not represent the Cuban people, the ordinary Cubans," Hammer said in a video posted to X, in reference to the Cuban Communist Party.

Meanwhile, the US State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said in a statement on X: "The illegitimate Cuban regime must immediately stop its repressive acts of sending individuals to interfere with the diplomatic work of CDA Hammer and members of the @USembcuba team."

"Our diplomats will continue to meet with the Cuban people despite the regime's failed intimidation," the agency added.

- 'No more oil' -

Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Miami-born son of Cuban exiles, have made no secret of their desire to bring regime change in Havana.

After Maduro's fall, the US president warned Havana to "make a deal soon" or face unspecified consequences.

"NO MORE OIL OR MONEY FOR CUBA: ZERO!" Trump had stated earlier, claiming Cuba was "ready to fall."

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Sunday her administration was planning to send humanitarian aid to Cuba, including "food and other products," while working on a diplomatic solution to continue sending oil to the island despite Trump's threatened tariffs.

"We never discussed with President Trump the issue of oil with Cuba," Sheinbaum added, after the two leaders had spoken by phone Thursday.

H.Takahashi--JT