Trump announces talks with Cuba amid blockade and sanctions

US President Donald Trump has said Cuba is asking for help and that Washington intends to hold talks with Havana. In a statement carried by multiple outlets, Trump wrote: "Cuba is asking for help, and we are going to talk." He also described Cuba as "a failed country" and said it was "only heading in one direction -- down."

The announcement comes against a backdrop of a US-imposed fuel blockade and fresh financial sanctions on the island nation. According to the Dawn, Cuba has been "crippled" by the fuel blockade, and Washington has also curtailed US travel and remittances to Cuba and sought to discourage regional allies from contracting Cuban doctors.

The South China Morning Post reported that Trump threatened Cuba was "next" after US forces seized the leader of long-time Cuban ally Venezuela earlier this year.</p>