Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said President Trump told him in a White House meeting Thursday that the U.S. will not invade Cuba.
“I heard him – assuming the translation was correct – and heard him say that he has no intention of invading Cuba; that is what the interpreter conveyed here,” Mr. Lula said during a press conference at the Brazilian Embassy following the Trump sit-down.
Mr. Lula said it was a “great sign” from his U.S. counterpart and that Cuba is willing to use diplomacy with the U.S.
“Cuba wants to talk and Cuba wants to find a solution to put an end to the blockade – blockade that has prevented Cuba from becoming a fully integrated, free nation ever since the victory of the 1959 revolution,” Mr.Lula said.
The White House had no immediate comment.
Mr. Trump has intensified the U.S. pressure campaign against Havana, which his administration has deemed a national security threat. Last week, the president said the U.S. would be “taking over” Cuba almost immediately.
He even discussed a hypothetical scenario where he would position a U.S. aircraft carrier just outside Cuban waters after the Iran conflict has ended.
Mr. Trump has said Cuba would be the “next” military operation after Iran.
Also last week, Mr. Trump signed an executive order expanding U.S. sanctions on the Cuban government. Under the directive, property and financial interests connected to sanctioned individuals can be blocked and U.S. persons are largely prohibited from conducting transactions with them.
The sanctions also include travel restrictions, suspending U.S. entry for certain individuals tied to the Cuban government unless granted an exception in the national interest.
Cuban leaders have decried the sanctions, accusing the U.S. of trying to intimidate its government.
