Cuba’s Stance on U.S. Dialogue and Pressure
Cuba is ready for “meaningful” dialogue with the United States but not for discussions on changing its government, according to Carlos Fernández de Cossío, the Cuban deputy foreign minister, who spoke to CNN on Wednesday. His remarks come as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on the island with talk of regime change.
“We’re not ready to discuss our constitutional system as we suppose the US is not ready to discuss their constitutional system, their political system, their economic reality,” Fernández de Cossío said.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel echoed these comments on Thursday, asserting that dialogue under pressure is impossible. De Cossío noted that while a bilateral dialogue has not yet been established, there have been “some exchanges of messages” linked to the highest levels of Cuba’s government.
His remarks follow comments by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated the U.S. “would love to see” regime change in Cuba, though it may not act on it immediately. The Trump administration has also increased pressure on the Caribbean island by attempting to cut off oil deliveries.
The U.S. disrupted oil supplies from Venezuela after removing its president from power. Last week, it threatened tariffs on nations exporting oil to Cuba, claiming Havana
