US open to talks with Cuba — but only if Havana changes its government

The United States has signalled it is willing to hold talks with Cuba, but only if the country's government changes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said. The statement came in the wake of remarks by President Donald Trump at the United Nations, where he described Cuba as a failed state.

Trump's comments prompted the Cuban delegation to walk out of the UN session in protest. The walkout underlined the deep tensions between Washington and Havana that have persisted for decades.

Rubio's conditions effectively set a high bar for any diplomatic engagement, making near-term negotiations between the two countries unlikely given Cuba's current leadership shows no indication of stepping aside.