Overview
- In a Havana interview released Wednesday, President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed early contacts with Washington and said Cuba can discuss a U.S. role in its economy after months of intensified U.S. pressure.
- He said sovereignty, independence, and the island’s political system are not up for negotiation.
- Díaz-Canel listed possible areas for talks such as foreign investment, migration, counter-narcotics and counterterrorism, environmental protection, and scientific and educational cooperation.
- He added that Raúl Castro remains closely involved in guiding the approach, despite being retired from formal posts.
- The outreach takes place during a severe fuel shortage that officials link to U.S. curbs on oil shipments, with Cuba reporting no deliveries in three months and the UN warning the crisis could threaten lives.