President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States could carry out a "friendly takeover" of Cuba
as the White House seeks to exploit the island's energy crisis to expand American influence in the region.
Trump made the remarks to reporters as he left the White House en route to Texas. "They're in deep trouble, and we could very well do something good, I think very positive, for the people who were expelled or worse from Cuba and are living here," Trump said. "You know, we have people living here who want to go back to Cuba."
Earlier this week, the administration announced plans to allow fuel shipments from American energy companies to private Cuban businesses. The strategy aims to increase Cuba's dependence on the United States and strengthen the island's private sector while weakening the communist government.
The Cuban government has faced mounting pressure following the US raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Since then, the Trump administration has called on Venezuela's interim government to end its long-standing partnership with Cuba and halt oil exports to the island.
Trump's comments represent his most extensive public statements on Cuba policy as the communist state grapples with a severe energy crisis.