Cuba Ready for Talks with US, But Rejects Any Preconditions: President Diaz-Canel

Havana: Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has said the dialogue process with the United States is at a “standstill” and there is currently no set agenda for negotiations. In an interview with Brazil’s Folha de S.Paulo, he said, “The willingness for dialogue exists, and some officials in our government have reached out to the US government, but no progress has been possible so far. There is no agenda.”
He made clear Cuba is ready to open the path to negotiations with Washington, but rejected talks conducted under pressure and coercion: “There can be no dialogue under coercion. We need to find a way to negotiate without any preconditions.”
Diaz-Canel accused the Trump administration of trying to economically squeeze Cuba and trigger a social explosion aimed at ending the Cuban revolution. Citing statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he accused Washington of trying to close “all avenues” available to Cuba. He rejected claims that the country is on the verge of economic collapse, even as Cuba faces severe shortages of fuel, electricity, food, and medicine.
He acknowledged problems caused by government bureaucracy and delayed reforms, but attributed the root cause of the crisis to the US-imposed “economic blockade.” According to Folha de S.Paulo, Cuba’s economy has contracted by 15% since he took office, with the country also facing prolonged power outages and fuel shortages. He defended 176 economic measures approved by parliament in June, which expand the role of private business and foreign investment, but rejected the notion that they are steering Cuba toward capitalism.
The interview comes amid rising tensions between Havana and Washington. Diaz-Canel said Cuba will continue to defend its sovereignty, but remains ready for talks with Washington without preconditions.