Miguel Díaz-Canel has confirmed that the Cuban government maintains open lines of communication with Washington. However, he emphasized that any negotiations must occur as equals, without pressure, and with respect for Cuba's sovereignty.
During an interview with journalist Roberto Cavada from the Grupo de Comunicaciones Corripio in the Dominican Republic, conducted on June 19 at the Palacio de la Revolución and aired on Wednesday by Telesistema, Díaz-Canel made his stance clear: "We cannot engage in talks or negotiations under pressure, especially not if they are contingent on changing our political system."
The statements were made amid heightened bilateral tensions. On Wednesday, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau labeled Cuba a "failed state" at the 56th General Assembly of the OAS in Panama City, demanding immediate economic and political reforms from the regime. Meanwhile, the OAS unanimously passed a declaration urging the restoration of democracy in Cuba.
Days earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new sanctions against five Cuban entities linked to GAESA, including the International Financial Bank and Almacenes Universales.
Response to U.S. Pressure and Sanctions
Díaz-Canel firmly rejected the notion that the package of 176 economic measures approved on June 18 by the National Assembly was a concession to U.S. pressure. "Trump doesn't run Cuba, nor does the U.S. government. Cuba is sovereign," he declared.
Despite this, the Cuban leader admitted that the "situation is under maximum pressure," which has expedited decision-making in a process of internal debate that has been ongoing for 10 to 15 years.
He also expressed skepticism towards statements made by Vice President JD Vance on June 18, who suggested that Cuba could enjoy a "much better relationship" if it made "smart decisions." Díaz-Canel responded bluntly: "I believe they will never understand or accept what we do because they aspire to a Cuba entirely dependent on the United States and fully privatized."
Humanitarian Aid and Energy Crisis
Regarding Washington's announcement of $100 million in humanitarian aid, Díaz-Canel dismissed it as a "joke" and noted its contradictions. Although Cuba accepted the proposal in writing, the aid excludes medicines or food and will not be distributed until after September. "The blockade causes Cuba an annual damage of more than $5 billion. They come with 100 million," he quipped.
Addressing the island's energy crisis, Díaz-Canel acknowledged the severity of power outages, attributing them to an energy blockade that has nearly halted all fuel supplies. He highlighted that in 2025, Cuba installed over 1,000 MW in photovoltaic parks, increasing the share of renewable energy from 3% to 10% of the electric matrix, and warned that without this investment, "the situation would be much worse."
The only fuel shipment to arrive in Cuba in recent months was from Russia, offering just 15 days of relative stability. The private sector, authorized to import fuel, managed to bring in only 40,000 tons, equivalent to a single ship, which is the monthly requirement for the island.
Military Tensions and Future Relations
Díaz-Canel also cautioned that "the threat of U.S. military aggression towards Cuba is present," while clarifying that the country's defensive preparations are intended to deter and not to provoke.
He concluded with a statement summarizing the regime's position towards Washington: "What our peoples deserve is dialogue, not confrontation."
Key Issues in Cuba-U.S. Relations
What are the main conditions set by Díaz-Canel for negotiating with the U.S.?
Díaz-Canel insists that negotiations must be conducted as equals, without pressure, and with respect for Cuba's sovereignty, without conditioning dialogue on changing Cuba's political system.
How did Díaz-Canel respond to the U.S. humanitarian aid offer?
Díaz-Canel labeled the U.S. offer of $100 million in humanitarian aid as a "joke," noting it excludes food and medicine and will not be distributed until after September, despite the blockade's significant annual impact on Cuba.
What impact has the energy blockade had on Cuba?
The energy blockade has severely affected fuel supplies, causing significant power outages. Cuba has responded by increasing its renewable energy capacity, which has helped mitigate the situation to some extent.