Cuban Government's Attempt to Mend Ties with U.S. Amid Rising Tensions

The Cuban government stated on Sunday that it does not pose a threat to the security of the United States and expressed its readiness to "revitalize and expand bilateral cooperation" in areas such as counterterrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybersecurity.

A statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) in Havana emphasized that "Cuba does not host foreign military or intelligence bases" and "does not support, finance, or permit terrorist activities." The Cuban government suggested resuming technical collaboration channels with Washington "for the benefit of both nations."

The regime reaffirmed "its commitment to collaborate with the United States and other nations to enhance regional and international security." This comes despite repeated accusations that Cuba is a key destabilizing force in the region, supporting authoritarian movements, intelligence operations, and political and military influence networks in Latin America, often in alliance with regimes like Russia, which Washington views as global security threats.

The same government that had military personnel in Venezuela, where 32 were reportedly eliminated by the United States, now claims to be willing to "collaborate."

This statement emerges amid heightened tensions fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, who recently announced tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, restricted remittances and travel to the island, and declared the regime an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security.

The MINREX statement asserts that "cooperation and peaceful coexistence" are achievable if based on mutual respect and international law, while also warning that Cuba "will never renounce the defense of its sovereignty and independence."

The declaration aims to project an image of openness following the toughened policy from Washington, which includes an almost total energy blockade, the suspension of Mexican crude oil shipments to the island, and the review of financial sanctions against the military conglomerate GAESA, controlled by Raúl Castro.

This new statement from the Cuban regime comes just a day after Havana portrayed itself as a victim of "impunity" and "abuse," responding to President Donald Trump's executive order to cut off fuel supplies to the Island.

In that communiqué, MINREX denounced what it described as an "escalation of the economic stranglehold" by the United States, following Washington's declaration of a national emergency to impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to the regime.

The contradiction is stark: a state accused of repression, censorship, and impoverishing its own people now seeks to present itself to the international community as a good-faith actor advocating for cooperation and respect.

U.S. President Donald Trump disclosed on Sunday that his administration is engaged in conversations with senior Cuban regime officials to explore a potential agreement with the island.

Speaking to the press from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump stated that Washington is "talking to people at the highest levels in Cuba to see what happens" and acknowledged that his goal is to reach an understanding that benefits both Cubans on the island and those in exile.

"Cuba is a failed nation. It has been for a long time, but now it no longer has Venezuela to lean on," Trump remarked, referring to the regime's energy and financial collapse following the fall of Chavismo and the cessation of oil shipments.

Moreover, he expressed willingness to reach an accord with the Cuban regime if the country embarks on a path of political openness and abandons the communist system.