WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump said Monday that Cuba could face a possible “friendly takeover” by the United States, though it also “may not be friendly” as Washington increases pressure on the crisis-stricken island.

Addressing a news conference in the state of Florida, Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio is holding talks with Cuba.

"He's dealing (with it), and it may be a friendly takeover, it may not be a friendly takeover. It wouldn't matter, because...they're down to, as they say, fumes. They have no energy, they have no money. They're in deep trouble on a humanitarian basis," he said.

The US cut Cuba off from everything else, he said.

"So yeah, they're going to make either a deal or we'll do it just as easy," he added.