STORY: U.S. President Donald Trump called Cuba a "failed nation" on Monday (February 16), as continuous oil embargo further cripples the country's flights and airport operations.

Venezuela - once Cuba's top oil supplier - effectively stopped sending shipments in mid-December. Mexico's government also said it was halting shipments after Washington threatened tariffs against countries that send supplies to Cuba.

"We'll see how it all turns out but Cuba and us, we are talking," Trump said in a press gaggle, citing deal talks between the two nations.

Trump also said a Venezuela-like operation on Cuba "wouldn't be a very tough operation," if the deals were to fall through.

The U.S. administration argues the measures will increase pressure for political change in Cuba. The United Nations has long voted for the U.S. to end its embargo, and leaders from Mexico and Venezuela said blocking fuel could have serious humanitarian impacts.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SPEAKING IN PRESS GAGGLE

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: CORRECTING SOURCE AND RESTRICTIONS FROM 'US NETWORK POOL - No Use USA' to 'WHITE HOUSE - Access All'

SHOWS: IN AIR (FEBRUARY 16, 2026) (WHITE HOUSE - Access All)

1. U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP APPROACHING MEDIA FOR GAGGLE

2. WHITE FLASH

3. REPORTER ASKING: "You're warning Cuba to make a deal. What does that deal look like? What do you want them to do?"

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"Cuba is now a failed nation. They don't even have jet fuels to get their airplanes to take off, they're plugging up their runway. We're talking to Cuba right now, and Marco Rubio talking to Cuba right now, and they should absolutely make a deal. Because it's really a humanitarian threat."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"We'll see how it all turns out but Cuba and us, we are talking. In the meantime, there's an embargo, there's no money, there's no oil, there's no nothing."

REPORTER ASKING: "If a deal isn't made would you consider an operation like the one in Venezuela?"

"I don't want to answer that. Why would I answer that? If I was, it wouldn't be a very tough operation, as you can figure. But I don't think that will be necessary."

6. WHITE FLASH

7. TRUMP LEAVING MEDIA GAGGLE