Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed Friday that his government has been holding talks with officials from the Trump administration. The discussions come as the communist island struggles with a deepening energy crisis and mounting economic pressure.
During a 90-minute news conference broadcast by state media, Díaz-Canel said the talks were aimed at addressing long-standing political differences between Havana and Washington. The New York Times first reported details of the negotiations, Fox News reported.
Despite the talks, Cuban officials made clear that political reforms are not part of the discussions. Lianys Torres Rivera, Cuba’s chief of mission in the United States, told Politico that changes to the island’s political system remain off the table.
Cuba’s economic crisis has worsened in recent months after the Trump administration cut off oil exports to the island. The move followed the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
The loss of Venezuelan energy supplies has placed enormous strain on the island’s infrastructure. Key sectors, including transportation, health care, and education, are now under severe pressure.
Torres Rivera said the crisis is affecting daily life across the country. She noted that roughly 11,000 children are currently on waiting lists for surgeries and medical procedures.
President Donald Trump has publicly acknowledged the situation inside Cuba. “They have no money. They have no anything right now. Maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba,” he said.
Trump has also suggested that reaching an agreement with Havana would not be difficult. “A deal would be very easily made,” Trump added.
In January, Trump declared a national emergency related to Cuba through an executive order. The order accused the communist government of aligning with hostile foreign powers and terrorist groups.
Last week, Trump said negotiations were already underway with Cuban officials. “Cuba is negotiating with Marco and myself and some others. And I would think a deal would be made very easily with Cuba,” he said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken a leading role in the discussions. Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, has long been a vocal advocate of regime change on the island.
Friday marked the first time Cuban officials publicly acknowledged the talks. The announcement signaled a significant shift after decades of hostility between the two governments.
According to reports, Rubio’s primary counterpart has been Raúl Rodríguez Castro. He is the grandson of former Cuban president Raúl Castro, who remains the island’s most powerful political figure.
Díaz-Canel said the talks are still in the earliest stages. He suggested that both sides are still evaluating whether meaningful agreements are possible.
“To determine the willingness of both sides to take concrete actions.” He emphasized that the negotiations remain preliminary.
“Agendas are built, negotiations and conversations take place and agreements are reached. Things we are still far from because we are in the initial phases of this process.” Díaz-Canel also acknowledged the depth of Cuba’s current fuel crisis. The shortage has disrupted daily life across the island.
“For three months, no fuel ships have arrived. We are working under very adverse conditions that are having an impact on the lives of all our people.”
The Cuban government also announced a move that could be viewed as an attempt to ease tensions with Washington. Officials said 51 prisoners would be released in the coming days.
Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the decision as a gesture of goodwill. The government did not identify the prisoners who would be released.
Human rights groups have long accused the Cuban government of holding political prisoners. Critics say the releases would represent only a small step compared to the broader reforms many have demanded.