Trump predicts Cuba, US will make a deal

Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday that he expects Cuba to 'make a deal' and added that 'we want to help Cuba.'

US President Donald Trump predicted on Saturday that the US and Cuba will reach an agreement and that he does not think military action will be necessary.

"I would say that Cuba and us will make a deal. I don't think we'll need the military," Trump told reporters at the White House.

The Trump administration has openly stated that its goal is to change Cuba's government. A US-imposed oil blockade implemented earlier this year has put the country under severe strain as it contends with fuel shortages and blackouts exacerbated by failing infrastructure.

"We want to help Cuba," Trump said before departing for Tennessee. "We want to open Cuba up to our people."

In an address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump called Cuba a failed state and said "freedom will be coming" to the island nation. The Cuban delegation walked out of the hall during that speech.

United States' 60-year trade embargo on Cuba

Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez said later on Saturday at the UN that Cuba will always be open to dialogue with the United States. He did not specifically reference Trump's comments.

"We are open to commercial and business relationships with US companies, just as we are with any other country," said Rodriguez, while also strongly condemning a US trade embargo on Cuba.

The US has maintained the embargo on Cuba for more than 60 years ​and the Trump administration ​has been stepping up ⁠pressure after using the military in January to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.