US says it is open to talks with Cuba if it changes government

The United States says it is open to speaking with Havana about how it can make a political transition towards new leadership and end a decades-old trade embargo imposed since former leader Fidel Castro ‘s communist revolution in 1959 and the US’s recent blockade of the country. “Cuba has a golden opportunity to place itself on an irreversible path towards a better future,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday in New York City. “We are prepared to be helpful in that regard if they are open to it.” Washington has previously said that it wants a change in Cuba’s government.