Cuba says in touch with US but no talks yet; Trump hints at a deal
Cuba says in touch with US but no talks yet; Trump hints at a deal
Cuba confirms limited communications with Washington but denies formal negotiations, as Donald Trump signals potential talks and energy tensions loom.
Cuba’s government on Monday told AFP that it was in “communication” with the U.S. administration but not yet in formal talks on a deal to end Washington’s pressure campaign on the island. “Today we cannot talk about having dialogue with the United States, but it is true that there have been communications between the two governments,” Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said in an interview.
Trump claimed the United States was in talks with “the highest people” in communist Cuba and that he expected to “make a deal” with its leadership, without saying what a deal might look like.
The Cuban official stressed that, for now, there is openness to dialogue as Cubans call for steps to avert a humanitarian crisis. Trump has been ratcheting up pressure on Havana since the January 3 capture by U.S. special forces of Nicolas Maduro, a top Cuba ally and financial backer. Pressured by Washington, Venezuela’s new administration has cut crude shipments to Cuba. Trump said Monday that Cuba’s other main supplier, Mexico, would also “cease sending them oil” after he threatened tariff hikes on any country that allowed Cuba to circumvent the de-facto blockade.
There was no immediate response from Mexico. President Claudia Sheinbaum had warned of a looming humanitarian crisis directly affecting hospitals, food supplies, and other basic services for the Cuban people, while signaling concerns about cutting the lifeline to Cuba.
The situation remains fluid as Washington signals a willingness to talk, while Havana reiterates that any dialogue is not yet formal negotiations and the world watches how oil-partner dynamics will influence the pressure campaign and potential humanitarian implications.
