Carlos Fernández de Cossío, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, has firmly stated that Cuba will not succumb to U.S. pressure, emphasizing the nation's determination to uphold its sovereignty amidst the tightening of American sanctions. His remarks were made during an interview with Al Jazeera last Thursday in Havana, amid worsening bilateral relations and Cuba's severe economic and energy crisis.
The Cuban Foreign Ministry highlighted a strong message on social media: "Cuba will not accept anything less than the full sovereignty and rights the Cuban nation enjoys today, achievements made nearly 70 years ago."
Factors Behind U.S. Pressure
Fernández de Cossío pointed to two key factors behind the increased pressure from Washington. First, the foreign policy of Donald Trump's administration, which he described as "extremely hostile," aiming to impose its objectives through military and economic might. Second, the influence of the anti-Castro lobby in the U.S., which he characterized as a "very small but highly influential minority" with unprecedented access to U.S. foreign policy, pushing its agenda on Cuba.
He further claimed that since the beginning of 2026, Washington has imposed about 250 sanctions on the island, labeling this approach as an "economic war" intended to make life unbearable for the Cuban people through collective punishment.
Dialogue Without Progress
The interview followed shortly after the U.S. announced a new round of sanctions targeting nine entities and two Cuban officials, focusing on the energy sector, GAESA's alleged attempts to evade restrictions, and the medical missions program.
Regarding the state of talks between the two nations, Fernández de Cossío acknowledged the existence of a communication channel initiated by Washington and accepted by Havana, yet he stressed that the Cuban government does not consider it a formal negotiation.
"The dialogue has not progressed much because the United States remains fixated on the mistaken belief that it can impose conditions on Cuba and extract concessions regarding our political and constitutional system," he asserted.
His comments align with those made on July 1 by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, who admitted that the dialogue "shows no progress," and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, who confirmed that the negotiation team operates with the backing of Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Rejecting Unacceptable Scenarios
When questioned about the possibility of U.S. pressures leading to a situation similar to Puerto Rico or following Venezuela's footsteps after the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in January 2026, the deputy minister stated that "none of these options are acceptable for Cuba."
He also warned that any potential U.S. military action "will not be easy" and could result in a "bloodbath," affecting both Cuban and American lives.
Regarding potential international mediation, he mentioned that both governments can communicate directly through their embassies, although he did not rule out the involvement of a third country that, in his view, respects international law and Cuba's sovereignty.
On the same day as the interview, Fernández de Cossío responded to the new sanctions announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, describing them as "an open war against the entire Cuban people," marking a further escalation in tensions between Havana and Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S.-Cuba Relations
What are the main reasons behind the U.S. pressure on Cuba?
The U.S. pressure on Cuba is largely due to the foreign policy of Donald Trump's administration, which was seen as extremely hostile, and the influence of the anti-Castro lobby in the U.S.
How has Cuba responded to the new U.S. sanctions?
Cuba has condemned the new U.S. sanctions as an open war against the Cuban people and remains determined to uphold its sovereignty and rights.
Is there any progress in the dialogue between Cuba and the U.S.?
The dialogue between Cuba and the U.S. has not shown significant progress, as the U.S. continues to hold onto the belief that it can impose its conditions on Cuba.