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A top Cuban official has denied that any substantive talks are underway between the United States and Cuba, directly contradicting claims from Trump that both countries are engaged in dialogue amid rising tensions.
Some shit you should know before you dig in: Over the weekend, President Trump released a series of statements directed at Cuba, warning that the island nation would no longer receive oil or financial support from Venezuela whichhas been a critical lifeline for Havana’s struggling economy. “THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA—ZERO!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform, adding that “Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela… BUT NOT ANYMORE!” Trump urged the Cuban regime to “make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,” framing the situation as an ultimatum. Echoing Trump’s hardline stance, officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senator Lindsey Graham signaled that Cuba could be next in the United States crosshairs. Rubio, whose parents fled communist Cuba, warned that officials in Havana “should be concerned,” while Graham said on Fox News that “Cuba is next” and that the regime is “on its last leg.”
What’s going on now: In a notable development, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has publicly denied being in talks with the US, saying there are “no conversations with the US government except for technical contacts in the area of migration.” Díaz-Canel made clear that while Havana is open to dialogue, it must be based on “sovereign equality, mutual respect, principles of international law, reciprocal benefit, noninterference in internal affairs, and full respect for our independence.”
In a pointed warning, Díaz-Canel added that Cuba would defend itself “to the last drop of blood,” rejecting any notion of pressure or ultimatums from the United States.
China, a close ally of Havana, also weighed in by siding openly with Cuba. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, “China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security, and opposing external interference.” In a direct appeal to the US, she said, “We once again urge the U.S. to stop the blockade, sanctions, and coercion of all forms against Cuba at once, and act in ways conducive to regional peace and stability.”
