Trump: I predict we will reach an agreement with Cuba

US President Donald Trump said that he predicted that the US and Cuba would reach an agreement and that he did not think there would be a need for military intervention.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, "I can say that we will make a deal with Cuba. I don't think we will need the army."

The Trump administration has made clear that its goal is to replace the Cuban government. The oil blockade imposed by the US earlier this year has put the country under severe pressure as it struggles with fuel shortages and power outages exacerbated by deteriorating infrastructure.

"We want to help Cuba. We want to open Cuba to our people," Trump said before leaving for Tennessee.

Trump also told reporters in front of the White House that he spoke with Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez this week about the elections.

Answering the question about the meeting, Trump said, "Yes, I did. I talked about the elections."

Rodriguez had a brief meeting with Trump on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday and praised Trump for restarting the dialogue with Venezuela. This was Rodriguez's first visit to the United States since US forces captured then-President Nicolas Maduro in an operation in January.