President Trump’s words came amid a nationwide blackout and as a top Cuban official said his country would move to open the economy to foreign investors.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel, whose country is rapidly running out of fuel, said the talks were based on “respect for the political systems of both countries.”

The Trump administration has been trying to choke the Cuban government through an oil blockade. The prisoner release appears to be an effort to appease Washington.

The Trump administration’s decision to cut off foreign oil to the island is devastating its tourism industry, a key source of income for a government being pushed to the edge.

Many Cubans are wondering if the Trump administration plans to target their country’s Communist government next.