US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Cuba wants to reach an agreement with the United States and expressed confidence that a deal could be concluded “very soon”. The remarks come as contacts between Washington and Havana appear to be taking shape after months of uncertainty.
Trump signals possible agreement
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said that discussions between the two countries are ongoing and suggested that progress could be made in the near future.
“The Cuba also wants to reach a deal, and I think very soon we will reach an agreement, we will do what needs to be done,” he said.
Trump added that the US administration is currently engaged in talks with Cuban officials, though he stressed that negotiations with Iran remain a higher priority for Washington.
“We are in talks with Cuba,” he said, adding that “we will deal with Iran before Cuba”.
Havana confirms discussions
Cuban authorities confirmed on Friday that discussions with Washington are taking place. Havana also announced the release of political prisoners as part of an agreement involving the Vatican, which has historically played a mediating role between the two countries, long-time ideological adversaries since the Cold War.
Earlier denials of contacts
Trump, who has repeatedly issued strong warnings toward Cuba, had stated in mid-January that negotiations with senior Cuban officials were already under way. At the time, Havana denied that such contacts were taking place.
US sanctions remain in place
Since January, Washington has imposed an energy blockade on Cuba, arguing that the Caribbean island under its communist government represents an “extraordinary threat” to US national security.
Cuba lies roughly 150 kilometres from the coast of Florida.