Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, made it unmistakably clear on Saturday that Havana will not succumb to Washington's pressure.
In an interview with Mexican outlet Milenio, Fernández de Cossío firmly stated that Cuba is not open to negotiating its internal political structure with any foreign government, including the United States.
“Cuba is not open to discussions with the U.S. government, or any other government, about its internal political matters,” the deputy foreign minister told journalist Horacio Besson.
This stance is in direct opposition to the maximum pressure strategy implemented by the Trump administration throughout 2026, aimed at instigating a fundamental change in the island's political system.
Fernández de Cossío emphasized a principle of reciprocity: the Cuban government does not attempt to interfere in U.S. domestic affairs and, by the same standard, rejects foreign interference in Cuba.
“We do not seek to interfere in the internal matters of the United States, and therefore, we do not accept any foreign government, including the U.S., involving itself in Cuba’s affairs,” he declared.
The deputy minister acknowledged that formal diplomatic relations exist between the two nations and that there have been specific high-level contacts. However, he dismissed these communications as ineffective.
The reason, he explained, is the constant imposition of new sanctions by Washington, which hampers progress. “Every 10 days or every two weeks, the United States announces new aggressive measures that collectively penalize the Cuban population,” he remarked.
Addressing the frequent references to potential military action against the island, Fernández de Cossío took on a tone of caution, noting that ignoring such threats would be "naive" and "irresponsible," given Cuba's history and global circumstances.
“There is a presumed threat to peace in Cuba and the region due to potential military aggression, as declared by some U.S. politicians,” he warned, specifically pointing to “radically anti-Cuban sectors in the United States.”
This statement follows a CBS report indicating that the U.S. Army Reserve is exploring contingency plans to bolster the Southern Command within a 90 to 120-day timeframe.
Days later, Trump dismissed the need for military intervention, expressing a preference for reaching an agreement with Cuba. However, just four days earlier at the United Nations General Assembly, he labeled Cuba as a “completely failed state” and predicted it would “collapse.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made it clear that any easing of sanctions would depend on “very substantial” changes in the island, including political and economic freedom. The Trump administration implemented more than 240 new sanctions against Cuban entities in 2026, declared a national emergency concerning Cuba in January, and expanded secondary sanctions in May.
Fernández de Cossío did leave a narrow window open for dialogue: the regime is willing to engage “seriously” and “responsibly” on specific bilateral issues—migration, security, trade, regional cooperation—that have ramifications beyond the island.
“But, naturally, Cuba, as we assume no country would, is going to sit down to discuss its internal political order with the United States,” concluded the deputy minister, presenting the regime's most comprehensive response yet to the mounting pressure from Washington in recent months.
Understanding Cuba-U.S. Diplomatic Tensions
Why is Cuba refusing discussions with the U.S. on its political matters?
Cuba views its political matters as sovereign and rejects any foreign intervention, emphasizing a principle of reciprocity where it does not interfere in U.S. affairs.
What is the impact of new U.S. sanctions on Cuba?
The continuous imposition of new sanctions by the U.S. hinders diplomatic progress and collectively affects the Cuban population.
What are the potential consequences of military action against Cuba?
Military action could threaten peace in Cuba and the region, according to Cuban officials, and is considered a serious threat.