The leader of Cuba is vowing to put up "resistance" against the U.S. as President Trump suggests he may "take" the island nation, whose communist government has faced intense U.S. pressure and languished under energy shortages.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel lashed out after U.S. President Donald Trump said he could do "whatever he wants" with the Caribbean island and that Washington could take "imminent action" against it.

HAVANA — Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed talks between the U.S. and Cuba during a speech Friday.

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.

Cuba has held talks with the US government marking the first time the Caribbean country has confirmed widespread speculation about discussions with the Trump administration.

It comes at a time when the Caribbean island is grappling with a worsening economic crisis.

Cuba’s leader Miguel Díaz-Canel defiantly responded to President Trump’s talk of a “takeover” with a vow of “impregnable resistance,” as the country faces a severe economic crisis and oil shortages.

US President Donald Trump mused over whether he would have the “honor of taking Cuba” on Monday, the same day the communist-run island’s electricity grid suffered its first nationwide collapse since the US effectively shut off the flow of oil to the country.