President Donald Trump said the United States is in talks with Havana and raised the possibility of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba.

These remarks signal a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy toward the island nation, suggesting a move away from traditional sanctions toward a more direct intervention in Cuba's governance and economy.

Trump said the U.S. is currently engaging with officials in Havana to discuss the future of the relationship. He framed the potential for a “friendly takeover” as a solution to the ongoing political and economic instability facing the country.

“We are in talks with Havana and we are looking at a friendly takeover,” Trump said.

While the nature of these discussions remains unclear, Trump suggested that the Cuban government is actively seeking aid from the U.S. to resolve its internal crises. He said, “Cuba is asking for help and we’re considering how we can assist.”

This approach positions the U.S. as a stabilizing force in the region. Trump said the United States is prepared to work with Cuba to bring stability and prosperity to the island.

Reports on the specific nature of the request from Havana vary. Some reports indicate that Trump said Cuba is asking for help, while others note he raised the possibility of a takeover without confirming a formal request for assistance.

The comments were made on Friday during remarks concerning U.S.–Cuba relations. The administration has not provided further details on the timeline or the specific terms of the proposed strategy, though it is presented as a means to address Cuba's systemic challenges.

““We are in talks with Havana and we are looking at a friendly takeover.””

The suggestion of a 'friendly takeover' represents a departure from standard diplomatic language and could imply a transition toward a more integrated or supervised administrative relationship between the U.S. and Cuba. If the U.S. moves toward this model, it would likely require a fundamental restructuring of the Cuban government's current political system in exchange for economic stabilization and American aid.