Washington DC, Feb. 27 -- US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said Cuba is in serious economic trouble, suggesting the possibility of a "friendly takeover", as his administration intensifies pressure on the communist government in Havana through a fuel blockade.

Speaking to reporters before a trip to Texas, Trump said, "The Cuban government is talking with us. They're in a big deal of trouble. They have no money. They have nothing right now. But they're talking with us... We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba."

Trump signed an executive order at the end of January imposing a fuel blockade on the island, aiming to weaken the regime, which depends heavily on imported energy and food, as reported by The ...