New Delhi, May 13 -- US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Cuba is seeking help and indicated that negotiations between Washington and Havana could soon begin, marking the latest dramatic turn in a rapidly escalating confrontation between the two countries.

The remarks come amid mounting economic pressure on Cuba, sweeping new sanctions, and growing fears across Latin America that the Trump administration may be preparing a far more aggressive strategy toward the Caribbean island.

Speaking before departing for China, where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Cuba was "asking for help" and added that "we are going to talk," without offering specifics on the scope or nature of the pr...