Cuba's top diplomat in Washington says Havana is prepared to hold talks with the U.S., reiterating willingness to engage despite escalating tensions with Trump.

President Donald Trump once again warned of change coming to Cuba, adding that negotiations are occurring between the island nation and the U.S.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Newsweek that the president "knows the Cuban regime wants a deal.”

Trump said Cuba could reach a deal for a 'friendly takeover' or not, but it would be 'just as easy' to change the regime without cooperation.

Cuban activist Rosa María Payá appeals directly to Trump for support as Cuba faces rolling blackouts and food shortages amid deepening humanitarian crisis.

As President Donald Trump suggests that Cuba could soon fall, his administration has begun exploring whether federal prosecutors could charge the Havana regime or the Communist Party with crimes, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Rather than force regime change, President Trump and Marco Rubio aim to win control of the island by deepening its economic dependence on the US.

By Daniel Trotta HAVANA, March 12 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump has said repeatedly the United States is in talks with high-level Cuban representatives, and that Cuba is eager to reach a deal to defuse tensions between the two neighbors that have deepened the island's economic crisis.

Senate Democrats have filed legislation that would prevent the U.S. from attacking Cuba without congressional approval.