On Thursday, Miguel Díaz-Canel revealed during a televised meeting on Canal Caribe with the Political Bureau, the Central Committee Secretariat, and the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers that Cuban officials have engaged in discussions with U.S. government representatives. These discussions aim to "seek solutions through dialogue for bilateral differences."
The Cuban leader's video statement was shared on social media this Friday. Díaz-Canel emphasized that these talks have been conducted at the highest levels: "Led by the Army General as the historical leader of our revolution and myself, in coordination with the top party, state, and government structures," he stated, clearly referencing Raúl Castro.
This announcement marks a dramatic shift from the official stance held for weeks.
On January 12, Díaz-Canel himself denied the existence of such talks, referring to them merely as "technical contacts in the migration sphere."
In February, Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío stated that "this dialogue has not begun." On March 10, the regime again denied any negotiations.
Díaz-Canel outlined four objectives of the talks: identifying the most severe bilateral issues, finding solutions, assessing the willingness of both parties, and exploring areas of cooperation for regional security.
He also noted that "international factors have facilitated these exchanges" and insisted that the process should proceed "on the basis of equality and respect for the political systems of both states."
The backdrop to this confirmation is an unprecedented crisis. Following Nicolás Maduro's capture on January 3, Cuba lost approximately 30,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan oil, which accounted for 40% of its energy needs.
By February, up to 58% of the island experienced simultaneous blackouts, with a generation deficit of 1,754 MW. The Trump administration has imposed more than 240 new sanctions and declared Cuba an "unusual threat."
Since February, media outlets like Axios and the Miami Herald reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in talks with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Raúl Castro's 41-year-old grandson, known as "El Cangrejo," a colonel and former chief of personal security for the ex-Cuban leader.
A senior Trump official described these contacts as "discussions about the future" and "surprisingly friendly." On March 7, Trump publicly stated that "Marco Rubio is talking to Cuba right now" and could finalize a deal "in an hour."
Rubio's team even met with 'El Cangrejo' in Saint Kitts during the CARICOM summit, while later reports confirmed that the U.S. was engaged in secret talks with Raúl's circle.
In this context, there was also speculation that Trump was pushing for a leadership change in Havana, potentially leading to Díaz-Canel's downfall.
Alongside the diplomatic announcement, the regime announced today the upcoming release of 51 prisoners, which Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez attributed to the "spirit of goodwill" and dialogue with the Vatican. However, opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer dismissed the move as a "mockery."
Prisoners Defenders reported a historical record of 1,214 political prisoners in Cuba as of February.
Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar responded to the announcement with a direct message to the regime: "Your time is up."
Key Questions on Cuba-U.S. Dialogue
What prompted the recent Cuba-U.S. talks?
The talks were initiated by Raúl Castro and are driven by the need to address and resolve significant bilateral issues through dialogue.
What are the main goals of the Cuba-U.S. negotiations?
The negotiations aim to identify and solve serious bilateral problems, gauge mutual willingness, and explore cooperative areas for regional security.
How has the energy crisis in Cuba influenced these discussions?
Cuba's energy crisis, exacerbated by the loss of Venezuelan oil supplies, has been a significant factor in prompting these diplomatic engagements.
Who are the key figures involved in these discussions?
Key figures include Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, among others.