Trump Says Cuba Is a Failed State But Admits It Is in Talks

JAKARTA - Regarding the tension that occurred, US President Donald Trump, Monday (16/2) stated that his administration is currently talking to Cuba.

"We're talking to Cuba right now," Trump told reporters on his way to Washington, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 17.

Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio was leading the talks. "They really have to reach an agreement," he added.

Trump called Cuba a "failed state."

"We'll see how it goes. But Cuba and we are talking. Meanwhile, there is an embargo, no oil, no money," he said.

When asked if he would consider military action like that in Venezuela, Trump said he did not want to answer the question.

"Why should I answer that? If I did, it wouldn't be a very difficult operation, as you can imagine, but I don't think it would be necessary," he said.

The US has reimposed a blockade on Cuba and expressed its intention to overthrow the country's communist government by various means.

Washington has also imposed an embargo on shipments of fuel to the archipelago, which has previously faced severe supply shortages.

The US has previously succeeded in stopping oil supplies to Cuba from Mexico and Venezuela, and in the latter case, US forces arrested President Nicolas Maduro.

Washington also announced its intention to impose equivalent import duties on goods from countries that supply fuel to Cuba.