Trump states the U.S. is beginning to engage in talks with Cuba as he takes steps to cut its oil supplies

President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. is initiating talks with Cuban leaders as his administration ramps up pressure on the and cuts off critical oil supplies.

He made the remark to reporters Saturday evening while traveling to Florida by plane. This follows his actions in recent weeks to cut off oil supplies from Venezuela and Mexico—actions he noted Saturday would push Cuba to enter negotiations.

His objectives regarding Cuba are still unclear, but Trump has focused more on the island since his administration detained Venezuela’s then-president in early January and has adopted a more aggressive stance toward U.S. adversary nations.

Trump has forecast that the Cuban government is on the verge of collapse.

The Republican president provided no details Saturday about the extent of his administration’s recent outreach to Cuba or the timing of such efforts, only stating, “We’re starting to talk to Cuba.”

His recent actions to cut off Cuba’s oil supplies have strained the island nation.

Last week, Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on goods from any country that sells or supplies oil to Cuba. This measure pressured Mexico—Cuba’s oil dependency after Trump suspended Venezuelan oil shipments following Maduro’s removal.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned the action could trigger a humanitarian crisis. She stated Friday she would look for alternatives to keep assisting Cuba.

“A humanitarian crisis isn’t necessary. I think they’d likely come to us wanting to strike a deal,” Trump said Saturday. “Then Cuba would be free again.”

He forecast that a deal of some kind would be reached with Cuba and added, “I think, you know, we’ll be kind.”