A senior United States delegation team met with Cuban government officials in Cuba as the Trump administration ramps up its efforts to pressure Havana into a deal. The U.S. is continuing to exert an economic stranglehold on the island.

The senior State Department delegation, which visited the island in recent weeks, stressed that time was running out for Havana “to make key U.S.-backed reforms before circumstances irreversibly worsen,” a U.S. State Department official told CNN.

Cuba recently responded to threats from U.S. President Donald Trump that he would be able to take over Cuba with military force.

Trump: “I Do Believe I’ll Be…Having The Honor of Taking Cuba”

Trump said he would have the “honor” of taking Cuba, to which the island replied that it is not afraid of war and it would engage its entire populace to fight the U.S. if necessary.

Cuba Responds To Trump’s War Mongering: We Are “Not Afraid Of War”

According to the State Department official, the US delegation stressed “Cuba’s need to make significant economic and governance reforms to enhance competitiveness, attract foreign investment, and allow private sector-led growth.”

On Monday, a top Cuban official confirmed that a meeting between Cuban and U.S. delegations “was recently held” on the island.

Speaking to state media, Alejandro García del Toro described the meeting as “respectful and professional,” and said that “eliminating the energy blockade against the country was a top priority for our delegation.” –CNN

Many geopolitical analysts have said that the actions the U.S. has taken against Cuba, by creating an energy blockade, are criminal.

U.S. Actions Toward Cuba Are Criminal

The Trump Administration was also accused of committing war crimes when it began attacking civilian boats from Venezuela in the Caribbean, which it claimed were conducting “narco terrorism.”

War Crimes Stacking Up: Three More Killed In US Attack On A Venezuelan Boat