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Topics: Donald Trump, World News, Politics, US News
Jen Thomas
Topics: Donald Trump, World News, Politics, US News
Donald Trump has told a press conference that the US could take Cuba once the war in Iran is over.
The President was speaking to reporters on Air Force One when he made the shocking admission, following a rare riot which took place days before.
He told the journalists that he would 'do whatever we have to do' with Cuba, but did state that he wouldn't take any action against the country until the war in Iran comes to an end.
The Cuban riot took place on Saturday, and Sky News reported the incident involved protesters attacking the Communist Party office following blackouts in the region.
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It comes after fuel shortages caused rolling electricity outages to be put in place, as the country relies on imported oil to run power plants as well as their transportation system.
The ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and Trump's recent attack on the Iranian island of Kharg, where up to 90% of Iran's oil products are exported, has caused fluctuations in pricing in the oil industry and some shortages, as well as an oil blockade from the US.
Trump told reporters: "Cuba also wants to make a deal, and I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do.
"We're talking to Cuba, but we're going to do Iran before Cuba."
On Monday he also suggested Cuba could face a 'friendly takeover', however he then added it 'may not be a friendly takeover.
The President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel, said he has opened talks with the US on Friday.
He said: "These talks have been aimed at finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences we have between the two nations" and hoped the talks would keep his country 'away from confrontation'.
The riot saw anti-government protesters begin by rallying peacefully, before things turned violent, according to Sky News.
Rioters were caught on camera throwing rocks through the windows of a building.
Cries of 'liberty' were heard, with the Cuban president saying he understands why people are angry and said their concerns were 'legitimate' but insists there can be no room for 'violence and vandalism that threatens citizen tranquility'.
According to the BBC, five people were arrested following the riot, after 'a smaller group of people stoned the entrance to the building and started a fire in the street with furniture from the reception area.'
Diaz-Canel said in a televised broadcast that no fuel had entered the country in three months, due to the US causing an oil blockade.