WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump on Friday suggested that Washington could pursue a “friendly takeover” of Cuba.

"The Cuban government is talking with us, and they're in a big deal of trouble," Trump told the reporters before leaving for a trip to the state of Texas.

The US president said they have no money.

"They have no anything right now, but they're talking with us, and maybe we'll have a friendly takeover of Cuba. We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba."

Trump said Cuba is "very badly failing."

"Since I was a little boy, I've been hearing about Cuba, and everybody wanting it to change. I could see that happening," he said.

He reiterated that State Secretary Marco Rubio is holding the talks with Cuba.

"You know, they have no money, they have no oil, they have no food, and it's really right now a nation in deep trouble, and they want our help," Trump said.