President Donald Trump confirmed on February 2, 2026, at approximately 10:45 PM UTC that the United States is dealing with Cuban leaders as the Cuban regime negotiates, calling it a failed state facing an oil cutoff from Mexico after many citizens fled on rafts through shark-infested waters. The statement came during the reporting window from 7:45 PM to 10:45 PM UTC. Trump stated, "It is a failed state. Mexico is going to stop sending it oil. Many people fled Cuba, they came on rafts in shark-infested waters. We are dealing with the Cuban leaders at this moment," according to a post on X by Agus Antonetti referencing the president's remarks. The comments highlight ongoing pressures on Cuba, including Mexico's impending halt to oil shipments, which exacerbates the island's economic challenges as reported in the same source. No additional details on the negotiations or timeline were provided in the statement shared within the three-hour window.
