While President Miguel Díaz-Canel continues to decry what he terms as the "siege" by the United States, and Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío dismisses any political negotiations with Washington, recent revelations paint a different picture behind the scenes.
Axios reported on Wednesday that discussions between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," are notably free from ideological disputes or historical grievances. Instead, they are future-oriented.
Referred to as the "apple of his grandfather's eye" by a source quoted in the report, the young Castro is described as a pivotal figure within Havana's inner circle of power, linked with the military-business conglomerate GAESA.
The source further noted that the exchanges have been "surprisingly cordial." "There are no political tirades about the past. It's about the future," the source added.
This contrasts sharply with the typical rhetoric of the Cuban regime, which remains entrenched in its historical confrontation narrative with the United States.
In recent days, Díaz-Canel has publicly accused Washington of "hostility," while Fernández de Cossío has reiterated that Cuba will not discuss its Constitution, its socialist system, or the release of political prisoners.
In an interview with EFE, the deputy minister was unequivocal: there is no negotiation table, and "we have no intention of discussing" internal reforms. The official message is clear: perhaps technical cooperation, but no political transformation.
However, Axios's description suggests a parallel, discreet channel focused on future scenarios. These are not described as formal "negotiations," according to a high-ranking U.S. official, but rather as conversations exploring potential future developments.
The Trump administration has been explicit about its strategic objective. "Our position—the position of the United States government—is that the regime has to go," a senior official told Axios. "But what that looks like... that's up to President Trump, and he hasn't decided yet. Rubio continues his discussions with the grandson."
In this context, the contrast is even more striking. While Havana publicly insists that no dialogue is taking place and rejects any debate about its political system, Washington is openly discussing regime change and simultaneously maintaining an apparently pragmatic channel with Raúl Castro's closest circle.
The cordiality described by U.S. sources suggests that, at least within this channel, there is no discussion about the historical legitimacy of Castroism or reopening old wounds of exile. The talk is about the "future."
This nuance is significant. It suggests that the White House might be exploring a negotiated transition from within the system, similar to what occurred in Venezuela after Nicolás Maduro's capture, where part of the Chavista apparatus remained in place during the stabilization process.
In Cuba, the interlocutor is not Díaz-Canel—whom Washington views as an apparatchik with no real leeway—but the direct entourage of the man many still consider the true decision-maker: the nonagenarian General Castro.
The revelation uncovers a dual narrative. Publicly, the regime maintains a rhetoric of ideological firmness and constitutional immobility. Internally, according to Axios, discussions centered on the future might be taking place.
It remains unclear just how far these contacts will progress or what model of transition might emerge from them. Trump has yet to finalize a definitive strategy toward Cuba, and Rubio is still weighing options.
But the contrast is already significant: while the official Cuban discourse looks to the past and reaffirms boundaries, the discreet channel revealed by Axios—if confirmed in its entirety—appears to be looking ahead.
In politics, sometimes the difference between past and future marks the beginning of change in the present.
Future Prospects for Cuba-U.S. Relations
What are the main topics of discussion in the secret talks between Rubio and "El Cangrejo"?
The talks are reportedly focused on future scenarios and potential developments, rather than ideological disputes or historical grievances.
How is the Cuban government publicly responding to the idea of political negotiations with the U.S.?
The Cuban government, through statements by President Díaz-Canel and Deputy Foreign Minister Fernández de Cossío, has dismissed any political negotiations with the U.S., maintaining a rhetoric of ideological firmness and constitutional immobility.
What is the U.S. government's stance on the Cuban regime?
The U.S. government has stated that their position is that the Cuban regime must go, although the specifics of what this entails have not yet been decided by President Trump.
Who is considered the true decision-maker in Cuba, according to the article?
The true decision-maker is perceived to be the nonagenarian General Raúl Castro, rather than President Díaz-Canel, who is seen as having limited real power.