The Cuban government on Monday denied it is engaged in formal talks with the United States, contradicting recent claims by US President Donald Trump. While confirming that “communication” has occurred between the two governments, a top Cuban official stated that no specific dialogue is currently underway.
Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, Cuba’s deputy foreign minister, clarified the nature of the contact in an interview with AFP. “Today we cannot talk about having dialogue with the United States, but it is true that there have been communications between the two governments,” he said. De Cossio added that Cuba remains “open to dialogue.”
This statement comes in response to remarks from President Trump, who claimed on Sunday that the US was in talks with “the highest people in Cuba” and that he expected to “make a deal.” Trump reiterated these comments on Monday, describing Cuba as a “failing nation” that no longer has the financial support of Venezuela.
The diplomatic back-and-forth is set against a backdrop of a severe economic crisis in Cuba, which has been intensified by a US pressure campaign. Washington has increased its efforts to isolate the island following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, a key ally and financial supporter of Havana.
The US has effectively established an oil blockade, threatening tariffs on any country supplying fuel to Cuba. This has led to critical shortages, with citizens facing power outages lasting up to 20 hours in some areas and long queues for petrol. President Trump noted that Mexico, another supplier, would also “cease sending them oil,” further tightening the economic pressure on the island nation.
The state of Cuba US talks has become a point of contention after Havana publicly refuted claims from Washington about ongoing formal negotiations. The Cuban government acknowledged that lines of communication exist but emphasized that these do not constitute a formal dialogue aimed at striking a deal, directly contradicting statements made by the US president. This divergence highlights the strained relations between the two countries.
This latest development in Cuba US talks unfolds as the island nation grapples with its most severe economic crisis in decades. The situation has been exacerbated by a US pressure campaign designed to cut off financial and energy support, particularly through an oil blockade. The pressure on allies like Venezuela and Mexico to halt fuel shipments has led to significant hardship for the Cuban people, including widespread power outages and fuel scarcity, creating a tense atmosphere for any potential diplomatic engagement.
According to multiple media sources.
