Cuban diplomat says Havana is prepared for dialogue with Washington, however sure issues are off the desk, together with the structure and its socialist authorities.
Printed On 3 Feb 2026
Cuba and the USA are in communication, however the exchanges haven’t but advanced into a proper “dialogue”, a Cuban diplomat has stated, as US President Donald Trump stepped up pressure on Havana.
Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, Cuba’s deputy international minister, advised the Reuters information company on Monday that the US authorities was conscious that Cuba was “able to have a critical, significant and accountable dialogue”.
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De Cossio’s assertion represents the primary trace from Havana that it’s in touch with Washington, even when in a restricted trend, as tensions flared in latest weeks amid Trump’s threats in opposition to the Cuban authorities within the aftermath of the US army’s abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Cuba’s longstanding ally.
“We now have had trade of messages, now we have embassies, now we have had communications, however we can not say now we have had a desk of dialogue,” de Cossio stated.
In a separate interview with The Related Press information company, De Cossio stated, “If we will have a dialogue, possibly that may result in negotiation.”
The deputy minister additionally burdened that sure points are off the desk for Cuba, together with the nation’s structure, financial system, and its socialist system of presidency.
On Sunday, Trump indicated that the US had begun talks with “the very best folks in Cuba”.
“I feel we’re going to make a cope with Cuba,” Trump advised reporters at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida.
Days earlier, Trump had referred to Cuba in an government order as “an uncommon and extraordinary risk” to US nationwide safety, and warned other countries he would impose extra tariffs on them in the event that they provided oil to Cuba.
On Monday, Trump reverted to issuing threats to Havana, asserting on the White Home that Mexico “goes to stop” sending oil to Cuba, a transfer that would starve the nation of its vitality wants.
Mexico, which has but to touch upon Trump’s newest assertion, is the largest supplier of oil to Cuba.
Mexico had repeatedly stated that it might not cease transport oil to Cuba for humanitarian causes, but additionally expressed concern that it may face reprisals from Trump over its coverage.
In latest weeks, the US has moved to dam all oil from reaching Cuba, together with from Cuba’s ally Venezuela, pushing up costs for meals and transportation and prompting extreme gas shortages and hours of blackouts, even within the capital, Havana.
Responding to Trump’s risk concerning oil provides, Cuba’s De Cossio stated that the transfer would ultimately backfire.
“The US… is making an attempt to power each nation on the planet to not present gas to Cuba. Can that be sustained in the long term?” de Cossio stated to Reuters.
The US has imposed a long time of crushing sanctions on Cuba, however a crippling financial disaster on the island and stepped-up stress from the Trump administration have lately introduced the battle to a head.
